No matter what Microsoft may say in public, we find it hard to believe that they can look at "Redmond Justice" so far and honestly believe that they're winning the case. Time and time again they've been embarrassed in court, been laughed at by the judge, and been just plain outclassed by government lawyer David Boies, who apparently got his degree at the Perry Mason Law School for Those Who Can Do No Wrong. Heck, if they did think they were winning, would they be spending so much effort trying to generate grass roots support among the public? There were the "leaked" memos, the newspaper ads made to look like letters to the editor from "ordinary concerned businesspeople," etc. Clever stuff-- slimy stuff, too, but clever nonetheless. But probably not a strategy that would be used by a company who honestly thought they would win.

The latest move in this extracurricular activity, according to faithful viewer Jerry O'Neil, is reported in an Associated Press article: Microsoft has added a link on its Windows Update web page urging visitors to write to Congress in support of Microsoft's "freedom to innovate." The online call for public outcry isn't what's new, however-- the link has been present on various other Microsoft web pages for at least six months now. What's noteworthy is that the link was not present on the highly-trafficked Windows Update page (which allows Windows 98 users running the latest version of Internet Explorer to download bug fixes and other patches automatically) when the page was shown to Judge Jackson in court last week. Could it be that the company didn't want the judge to see them using their massive Windows installed base to further their position in the battle for public opinion? After all, isn't that an "abuse" of the Windows monopoly curiously similar to the one they're on trial for in the first place?

Our recommendation, of course, would be to visit the Windows Update page yourself, regardless of what OS and browser you're using, and follow Microsoft's instructions for how to write to your elected officials. As for what opinion you express, well, that's up to you. Wouldn't it be funny if Microsoft's tactics actually generated more letters condemning them than defending them? Unfortunately, at broadcast time, the Update page yielded repeated "Server Too Busy" errors, and we were unable even to load Microsoft's home page-- "The connection was refused." Hmm, what do you think-- just another Windows NT crash, or do you suppose they're onto us? ;-) The "Capitol Comment" page that Microsoft links to is functional, however, and it specifically asks for opinions on the "Redmond Justice" case. Go to it...