[MLUG - DISCUSSION] Re:[MLUG Discussion] Digest LinuxToday: DoJ Decision

["Jim Bradley" <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

>> ...  * 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.

I agree with the prohibition on exclusive distribution
agreements, because Microsoft used those agreements to kill
better operating systems, DR-DOS and OS/2. If you were able
to find a major hardware vendor that would sell a machine
with DR-DOS or OS/2, you'd have to pay extra (i.e. you were
paying for the Microsoft per processor license, as well as
for the different OS.)

I also agree with the second part. IBM, which was the
largest PC hardware distributor, had to pay $10 more per
Windows license than other major manufacturers, because they
chose to also sell OS/2 and Lotus Smartsuite. Unless you
have a monopoly, you can't make your largest customer pay
more than anyone else.
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