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Termyn8or -> RE: Microsoft dealt major blow in Europe (9/17/2007 11:43:44 AM)
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They are lucky I am not Bill Gates. There are ways to retaliate. I could make them sorry, but it would cost money. It's unclear how supportive the major shareholders would be.
China did something similar years ago. They got the sourse code on the grounds that they would be modifying it to control internet access by users. That's what happens when you can't afford to buy a government. The fine means nothing to them, but giving out the code is a very big issue. I bet it's flown over on Air Force One, with more bodygaurds than Bush gets. Probably look like one of those spy movies with the briefcase handcuffed to the agent. Self destruct mechanism and all.
But my commentary is by no means over, to start, this is happening in Europe, and if they deem it just, why is it not so in the US ? It seems it has been open season on the US public for a long time. Why do I see examples around the world of governing bodies acting in the best interests of the people but never here ? Perhaps in demanding code the Chinese government was only operating in it's own best interest, not that of the people, but the US government doesn't even do that, they seem hell bent on destroying themselves, the currency and economy and the people who voted for them. We don't know exactly what the Chinese government did to Windows, I don't care. Their motives are not that hard to guess, control of information, and better security for the powers that be.
Because of the ruling, the EU's motives are a bit obscure. They either are working for the people, or just trying to appear so. The fine they levyed is approaching a billion dollars, just where will that money go ?
I also find it hard to figure out why they would want Windows without Media Player. If I am correct (tell me if not), you can just take all of it's file associations away and call it a day, no ? What do they want, a seperate install disk for WMPlayer ? Why ? And that's what I was talking about when I said they are lucky that I am not Bill Gates. Imagine this, Windows shipped bare, as an OS only. Make the whole package about 15 disks. You want internet, so many more Euros, want WMPlayer, more Euros, want Worpad ? Want CD burning ability ? Want disk tools ? Want the stupid solitare game(s) ? The list can go on for quite some time.
Such a move would cost the company, and therefore the shareholders, but if the cost isn't too great it may be tolerated, and might effect a political change in the EU as people get pissed off that buying Windows is not as easy, and in fact has become a pain in the arse. If Microsoft were a sole proprietorship, and I was in the driver's seat, I might just do that.
My official response would be "We are making ABSOLUTLEY SURE that we are in compliance with your laws. If this inconveniences you, get the laws changed". Other big companies pretty much do it all the time.
Most governments in Europe are considerably better than the US. For example here you can find alot of items, telivisions for example, that cost $2,000 and up, for which there are no parts and no product support after two years. Some of them have no support or parts from day one. In warranty you get a replacement, if it breaks one day out of warranty it cannot be fixed at any price almost, because there are no parts available whatsoever. In many parts of Europe, they require a three year warranty. At least they did at one point in time, that may be gone with the advent of the EU.
The judge made his ruling based on EU law, who made the EU laws and why do they even pretend to protect the consumer, while here we have all kinds of scam artists running things. The drug companies run the FDA, Bill Gates doesn't have alot of problems here. Our cars get recalled, our bridges fall down, and then in one recent local event, a bridge they said was going to fall down refuses to, despite several attampts with high explosives. The project is stalled. Interestingly, it is right near Brooklyn. Ha, wanna buy the Brooklyn bridge (in Ohio), let's just say it was built alot better than they thought.
And what about drug prices ? Why don't you have repair crews fixing potholes in the road all the time in Europe ? Damn, I seem to be talking myself into moving there, but I will not leave my country. I will remain here and until they silence me, and I will call them on ever dirty deed I know about.
All in all, I think the EU did good. What happens next is anybody's guess. I'd like to see what Microshaft does about this. They are not stupid, and the fine could be a trillion dollars, it doesn't matter, because the fine is paid by the customers in the end.
That's what people do not understand, when the government fines a big company, they are actually fining the people. There are no exceptions to this. The business' customers pay EVERY expense the company has, nobody else.
So the fine might have been counterproductive in the end, but the sanctions weren't. Hmmmm, I know a few people in Europe, maybe I can get someone to send me the code for Windows. Boy that would be a hoot wouldn't it ?
Enough. Later. Be well.
T
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