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Netscape Says "Ouch" (1/16/98)
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Of course, as it turns out, Microsoft's plan to crush Netscape seems to be working quite well. Each quarter the browser share numbers show Netscape's customer base shrinking in relation to the growing pool of netsurfers using Internet Explorer as their browser. And while most studies show that Netscape still holds a small lead, at least one study shows that Microsoft has pulled ahead in the race.
None of this is good news for Netscape, who now projects an $85 million loss this quarter, in stark contrast to analysts' predictions of a decent profit. Netscape now plans to axe 400 employees to help stem the red ink incurred by Microsoft's slashing attack. An Associated Press story has the details. Those 400 jobs account for about 13% of Netscape's total work force. The final financial numbers and layoff announcements will be made on January 27th.
What effect will this news have in the ongoing "Redmond Justice" drama? Microsoft's defense tactic of pointing at Netscape's continued dominance to counter accusations of antitrust behavior will soon no longer be an option. Perhaps you'd like to jump into the deep end of the conspiracy theory pool, where the water's nice and warm and you can suggest crazy things like this: Perhaps Machiavellian higher-ups at Netscape are losing marketshare, posting losses, and cutting jobs on purpose, with the top-secret intent of trying to influence a Microsoft loss in the continuing Department of Justice case. Of course, if you suggested anything as offbeat as that, people would call you crazy. Up for the challenge? ;-)
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SceneLink (365)
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And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
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 | | The above scene was taken from the 1/16/98 episode: January 16, 1998: (Sorry—this was before we started writing intro text for each episode!)
Other scenes from that episode: 363: It's 1998, Not 1984 (1/16/98) Despite a groundswell of Super Bowl commercials being planned by large tech companies like Qualcomm, Oracle, Sun, and (of course) Intel (and their dancing Bunny Men), the buzz is that our own Apple Computer (one of the first tech companies ever to broadcast ads during the big game) will not be participating this year... 364: Too Proud to Beg (1/16/98) In this episode of "Redmond Justice," the Computer Reseller News reports that the panel for Microsoft's appeal of Judge Jackson's preliminary injunction has been set. The three judges to decide the case are A...
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