|
Get Ready to Rumble (5/18/98)
|
 
|
| | |
It's official-- even as Microsoft ships Windows 98 to computer manufacturers, the Department of Justice and the attorneys general of twenty states announced today that they will indeed file suit against the Redmond Giant for alleged anticompetitive practices. Details about the suit's intent are available in an Inter@ctive Week article.
The government apparently doesn't want to stop Windows 98 itself, but is pushing for a preliminary injunction to force Microsoft to remove Internet Explorer from the distribution of the new operating system. Alternatively, the DoJ wants Microsoft to include Netscape Navigator in the OS distribution, with an easy method for end users to choose which browser they want to use and delete the other. The DoJ claims that neither of these choices will prevent Microsoft from "having its products compete on [their] own merits." At issue is the fact that Windows 98, in its current state, illegally increases IE's browser market share by piggybacking on the Windows OS monopoly.
We at AtAT continue to be surprised by the new, tougher DoJ. Of course, we can all see what's going to happen next-- Microsoft will fight it tooth and nail, and if they lose and the injunction is handed down, they'll appeal it and "comply" by, say, shipping Windows 98 with an integrated IE and a version of Netscape that only lets you go to the Microsoft home page. What's past is prologue, after all.
| |
| |
 |
SceneLink (715)
|  |
 |
|
And Now For A Word From Our Sponsors |
| | | |
|
| |
|
 | | The above scene was taken from the 5/18/98 episode: May 18, 1998: As promised, the Justice Department and twenty states filed suit against Microsoft, even as the software giant sends its steaming new OS to computer manufacturers. Meanwhile, Apple continues to garner favor in the press, despite Steve's subtle game of "bait and switch," and here come the sites dedicated to all things Steve...
Other scenes from that episode: 716: All You Need Is Love (5/18/98) The relationship between Apple and the press continues to grow cozier and cozier, especially following the recent iMac and Mac OS X announcements. In fact, some of the coverage of Apple's recent accomplishments is so positive and glowing, it borders on the indecent... 717: Hallowed By Thy Steve (5/18/98) Speaking of virtual love-fests, there's a new site worth checking out called the Steve Jobs Helipad. (The title, faithful viewers will no doubt realize, is a reference to the helipad Steve recently had built in order to allow him to commute between Apple and Pixar via helicopter.)...
Or view the entire episode as originally broadcast... | |  |
|
|
