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Anti-trust Q&A - 02 May 2000
This week we will discuss the present situation in the Microsoft anti-trust
trial, in Q&A format.
Q: So, what's happening recently with this Microsoft thing?
A: The government, with the backing of 17 states, recently announced that it
would like for Microsoft to spit into two competing companies.
Q: Didn't that happen with some big phone company a long time ago?
A: Yes, and it worked. But, this is different.
Q: How so?
A: Well, It seems that the government is really only asking nicely, they're not
actually doing anything about it, and it's taken about ten years to get to that
point
Q: Doesn't that seem kind-of silly and useless?
A: Yep.
Q: Okay. Well, what does Bill Gates say about this?
A: Mr. Gates told the press that he believes the consumers would be hurt if his
company were to break apart.
Q: How?
A: Well, first, Gates and his advisors and defenders believe that having two or
more similar, but competing, versions of Microsoft's operating system will make
the purchasing and operating of computers more complex, and may turn away some
people from computer use altogether.
Q: Was There any other reason?
A: Yes, many people believe that a break-up will send a negative message to
business operators.
Q: But, isn't that just a bunch of malarkey?
A: What does malarkey mean?
Q: Bullshit.
A: In that case: Yes, it's just a bunch of malarkey, and that's the problem
here, that's why this keeps going round and round, and nothing seems to be
happening. It's ALL just a bunch of malarkey. The government, the media, and
Microsoft have just been spraying each other with this malarkey for the last ten
years, and everyone thinks that something will come of it eventually. If it
continues at this rate, you will be long dead before anything significant
happens.
Q: What about you?
A: I will live forever.
Q: Scary. So, when do you think that the trial will end?
A: The trial has a half-life of about sixty years.
Q: Should I upgrade to Windows 2000?
A: No.
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