The article with that quote was published in the middle of 1998 and
looking at the calendar now it's getting about 10 years as threatened.
The "addiction" mentioned has to be more than just psychological (though
that's a big factor with a cult like MS) and the easiest way to do that
technically would be by controlling the use of the file formats and such.
So it is no surprise and probably no coincidence that the "Hallowween
Documents" made their appearance a few months later featuring a strategy
of decomoditization of protocols and formats.
If you look at MS' non-compliance and foot-dragging in the punishment
phase of the EU case, it is in these areas where it is in least
compliance -- just like in MS vs DOJ. Put these all together and you can
see a clear business practice.
The big question is why end users should care. If it can be done in a
sound bite or other very short catchy way then that's better. However,
most non-technical people really dislike the constant "upgrades" they've
been subjected to over the years and know that the new versions have been
"needed" because the old ones can't read the new file formats.
So if using software which is locked into closed formats causes the
problem of a cycle of endless new software headaches, then software which
is independent of the format (or a format which is independent of
software, depending on how you view it) is the answer.
-Lars
Lars Noodén ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Patents are wrong for software but right for inventions.
On Tue, 2 May 2006, John McCreesh wrote:
On Tue, May 2, 2006 10:09, Lars D. Noodén wrote:
Actually that seems to have been part of the strategy all along:
As long as they are going to steal it, we want them to steal
ours. They'll get sort of addicted, and then we'll somehow
figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade.
http://news.com.com/2100-1023-212942.html?legacy=cnet
Oh, beautiful
Thanks - John
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