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Settle THIS, Buddy (3/28/99)
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The "Redmond Justice" hiatus is still weeks away from conclusion, as Microsoft and the government try to hash out a settlement that would cut the trial short. But there's good news for entertainment junkies hooked on the courtroom drama: neither side seems to be trying very hard. Indeed, while the details are still hush-hush, Microsoft's first settlement proposal was rejected by government representatives, who called it "minimalist," "far from adequate," and "unacceptable." So now it's up to the government to come up with a counter-offer to propose during settlement talks on Tuesday-- and even though Microsoft is arguably so likely to lose the case that they should jump at any settlement they can get, we're doubtful they're going to go for what the government is expected to offer.
According to a Reuters article, state attorneys general are planning to propose that Microsoft agree to put Windows up for auction. The plan is apparently to sell Windows intellectual property rights to the two or three highest bidders, who would then be allowed to develop their own operating system products based on Windows. An alternate government plan is to get Microsoft to turn Windows into an open-source project, which would allow anyone access to the Windows source code. Given that Microsoft has in the past guarded their source code like grim death, we can only assume that they aren't going to jump at this chance to concede their precious monopoly power. If these are the offers and counteroffers being bandied about, you can set your VCRs now, because this trial will probably be fought through to the bitter end.
"Redmond Justice" is scheduled to go back on the air sometime in April, but it appears that an even longer delay might be in the cards due to Judge Jackson's involvement in another case, which may run long. We can only hope that news of the settlement talks proves entertaining enough to hold our attention until then. In the meantime, we can't wait to hear what kinds of happy "compromises" emerge from the smoke-filled room...
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SceneLink (1427)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 3/28/99 episode: March 28, 1999: Sears: it's not just for cheesy PCs anymore, if rumors of imminent iMac offerings are true. Meanwhile, those wacky engineers at MIT work to perfect the ultimate Jell-o iMac, and the government prepares to propose that Microsoft auction off Windows or make it open-source...
Other scenes from that episode: 1425: Translucent Side of Sears (3/28/99) Many people had their doubts when it was first unveiled, but with seven and a half months of sales history behind it, few will argue that the iMac turned out to be a phenomenal success. PC Data's monthly sales statistics have shown that the iMac has managed to stay in the top five list of computers sold at retail outlets ever since it first hit the shelves last August-- a feat made all the more remarkable by how few retail outlets actually sell the things... 1426: Presenting: Wiggly iMacs (3/28/99) Face it: the iMac isn't just a computer... it's a full-fledged phenomenon. We've seen the iMac's immediately recognizable contours appear in a number of nationally syndicated comic strips. People dressed their kids up as iMacs for Halloween...
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