NYT: 2 from Markoff, Steve Lohr on predatory practices should be legal

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/03/biztech/articles/07soft.html

March 7, 1999
Microsoft to Alter Software in Response to Privacy Concerns
         By JOHN MARKOFF

AN FRANCISCO -- The Microsoft Corporation moved to defuse a potentially
explosive privacy issue today, saying it would modify a feature of its
Windows 98 operating system that has been quietly used to create a vast
data base of personal information about computer users. 


Microsoft conceded that the feature, a unique identifying number used by
Windows and other Microsoft products, had the potential to be far more
invasive than a traceable serial number in the Intel Corporation's new
Pentium III that has privacy advocates up in arms. The difference is
that the Windows number is tied to an individual's name, to identifying
numbers on the hardware in his computer and even to documents that he
creates. 

The combination of the Windows number with all these data, the company
said, could result in the ability to track a single user and the
documents he created across vast computer networks. Hackers could
compromise the resulting data base, or subpoenas might allow authorities
to gain access to information that would otherwise remain private and
unavailable. Privacy advocates fear that availability will lead to
abuses. 

    [snip]

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http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/03/biztech/articles/07sony.html
March 7, 1999
Tuning in to the Fight of the (Next) Century
By JOHN MARKOFF
AN JOSE, Calif. -- Battle for control of the future of computing is
looming between the personal computer industry and consumer electronics
manufacturers. 

     

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In this column Steve Lohr apparently thinks the US government made a
mistake in passing antitrust laws, and thinks that Microsoft should be
proud of its efforts to destroy rivals using predatory practices.  Or,
maybe he just wants Gates to show up and give some good copy.

http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/99/03/biztech/articles/07view.html

ECONOMIC VIEW 
Some Advice for Mr. Gates: Have Your Day in Court
By STEVE LOHR

  sample:

"Yes, we like nothing better at Microsoft than loosening the bowels of
our competitors. We get up early and we go to bed late to create
products, market them aggressively and revolutionize the industry. 

-- 
James Love, Director, Consumer Project on Technology
 P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
http://www.cptech.org    love@cptech.org
Voice 202.387.8030, Fax 202.234.5176