Friday, April 28, 2000

Gov't Asks Judge to Break Up Microsoft -- 10:40 pm CST, Update by J.t.Qbe

Unless you've had your head in the sand all evening (ok, I just found out about it myself), you've heard the news everyone has been expecting all week: the U.S. Department of Justice and 17 of the 19 states which successfully sued Microsoft have asked Judge Jackson to break Microsoft into two. Lots of people never thought it would go this far, but now the media are seriously discussing the implications of a breakup. Yep, it's very possible that this could be the verdict and yep, it'd take a long, long time to implement.

Would it be best? I wonder. Some fear that breaking up Microsoft would simply create that many new monopolies and would be more harmful than leaving Microsoft alone. Yet leaving Microsoft to carry on business as usual isn't good either. The people I hear howling loudest about a possible breakup are those who stand to lose money. I have no sympathy for that. Microsoft broke the law to foist off its own software on the world and close down other companies with better software. It deserves what it gets, and those who didn't sell when they saw Microsoft making a mockery of the antitrust trial deserve what they get too. I want good software, not to line the pockets of those who sell junk. It shouldn't be all about making piles of cash, but putting out a quality product. That's why I'm not going to pay another cent to Microsoft for its software. I can get far better software for free or cheap, and support those who want to make an honest living from it.

As always, these are my opinions and they do not necessarily reflect the views of The Haus' staff. But they might.

A.T. Hun comments: If I had any inclination that the government could figure things out better than anyone else I'd be all for a break-up. Unforunately they don't have a stellar record when it comes to breaking up monopolies.

Bill G. can also spare us the crap about a break-up stifling innovation. I suppose he would know since M$ has been stifling innovation for some time. The sad fact is that it is all about "making piles of cash," no matter who gets crushed along the way.

News for 04/28/2000

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