Very Computer

just curious what people think of this: if MS would be forced to split in
two companies (not that impossible with anti-trust regulations): one that
makes OS products, and one that makes the applications: would the world be a
better place? I mean: perhaps more competition, office software sales more
evenly distributed among brands (otoh ensuring new kinds of
incompatibilities?).
Would Linux benefit from such a split? Perhaps: would more companies develop
for Linux? (can't wait to see Macromedia port Flash, Dreamweaver, Authorware
or Director to Linux, as far as I know there's nothing like them in the
Linux world).
Reactions are appreciated!

Tom

On Thu, 12 Nov 1998 22:34:53 +0100,Tom Alaerts

No.

We'd need at least three companies -- operating systems, applications,
and media/content (MS Net, Encarta, those works of art Billy published
all electronic rights to, and so forth). Maybe four: embedded systems.
Maybe five: development tools.

A whole host of Baby Bills.

Even then, we don't benefit directly. All that happens is that Microsoft
loses the ability to aim and shoot at anybody they want to -- they're
still, collectively, an eight hundred pound gorilla in the paddling
pool of the marketplace.

-- Charlie

All the DOJ needs to do is stop Microsoft from advertising (or holding
press releases about) products and/or features which do not exist yet.

Let them remain one company, as IBM did. Let them ``innovate'', if they
are able. Just stop them from killing compeditors with announcements.

 - Josh
--
   O<     ( (    ``I would turn the question around, and ask,
 _NH >=O   ) )     "If it's a hobby for us and a job for you,
<_>-<_  + :::::-.  then why are you doing such a shoddy job?"''
 HCl<O>    :::`-'                           -- Linus Torvalds