Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] LinuxToday: DoJ Decision Is Good For Linux

["Dev Null" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

I'm not sure it should have them "quaking with fear."  As someone pointed
out, they really are their own competition, and they do good work overall.
Yeah, it'll make them rethink part of their strategy, but these remedies,
executed FAIRLY and PROPERLY, would do more good than anything else.  I can
understand why MS might disagree, but. . .

Igor Izyumin Jr. forwarded:
---------------------------
>     * Requiring Microsoft to make its APIs available to competitors. This
> could well include its application file formats.

All of them, and not just the ones available to people who subscribe to
MSDN, right?  After all, Windows applications are designed by LOTS of
third-party companies, all of whom need APIs to do things. . .

Also, file formats could make a big difference in the office suite
deparment, which is both a good and bad thing for users.  Third parties are
likely to support different things, which can/will make for some
"interesting" situations.  8)

>     * Prohibiting Microsoft from employing designs which break
non-Microsoft
> products.

This has to be very carefully balanced. . .BOTH parties would be
responsible, not just MS.  There are plenty of third-party applications that
break Windows.  (Largely because the developers couldn't be bothered to get
the APIs from MSDN. . .)  What protections are in place for Microsoft when
Netscape breaks part of the networking layer (as I've seen it do)?

>     * Prohibiting Microsoft from entering into exclusive distribution
> agreements with third parties, and from taking action against companies
that
> distribute other vendors' software.

The first part I object to, because companies should be able to enter
arrangements as they see fit.  On the other hand, interfering TOO much with
the other guy is bad form.  8)  Again, balance.

>     * Allowing computer vendors to decide what will boot, and in what
order,
> on the machines they sell, and to determine themselves what will appear on
> the desktop, including the Windows desktop.

This is good and bad.  Good because it removes the exclusivity MS have had
and makes dual booting machines more available.  Bad because that means that
Hewlett-Compaq make that decision.  Heh.

Also, FYI regarding bootloaders -- a dual system with FreeBSD uses the BSD
bootloader, not the Windows one.  Since that doesn't use the Windows
bootloader. . .  That's closer to legality, right?  *laughs*

>     * In addition, the DoJ asked for expedited discovery -- the speedy
> revelation of documents and records -- detailing Microsoft's activities in
> the months since the verdict was reached against the company. This,
> department lawyers say, could result in a request for additional remedies
> against Microsoft.

I don't think the first case was executed properly.  The court jumped all
over the wrong things.  This could be done very badly.  Then again, I'm not
a lawyer or a judge. . .

> Despite a roundup of uniformly hysterical and uniformly erroneous
broadcast
> and print reports, the remedies now being sought are potentially far more
> restrictive than the ones approved by Judge Jackson at trial and
overturned
> on appeal.

But a lot more useful overall.  8)

T3/Dev
If I had two cents for every time I'd offered mine, I'd break even, I think.
. .

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