[CS-FSLUG] EU says IE violates antitrust

[Jon Glass]

On Thu, Jan 22, 2009 at 8:38 AM, Davo Smith
<christiansource at davosmith.co.uk> wrote:
> Because MS has a practical monopoly on the desktop and has been/is
> using that to push their browser

So? That still is no reason to forbid them something that others are
allowed. Sorry, but you can't have your cake and eat it too... Just
because you _want_ them to be punished for something doesn't make it
right.

Let's step back and look at the issue from a different angle than
"Microsoft=mopoly=Microsoft bad".

Apple produces Safari for the Mac. It's based on Webkit, and is highly
integrated into the system, but even more, other products can use it!
This integration, and its quality mean a great user experience. At
this point, it is identical to Microsoft, but why complain? Well, for
one, it makes it well-nigh impossible for other web browsers to
compete with Safari. How can Omniweb, iCab, Opera and Firefox compete
on the Mac desktop with Safari? Apple owns the monopoly on the Mac
desktop, and it offers them an unfair advantage that undercuts the
competition. How can Omnigroup make money? The truth is, they can't.
Yet, they are not  complaining, the last I heard.

Now, let's look at Linux, and Gnome, and Firefox. Firefox, while not
quite so integrated into the Gnome desktop, is quite ingratiated. It's
the default. In this environment, it is very difficult for any of the
minor players to gain a foothold. Firefox _owns_ the Gnome desktop,
thus keeping out the competition--and even, by its very weight,
suppressing and discouraging it. In fact, it even suppresses
Konqueror, which is the KDE _default_. Surely nobody thinks this is
healthy? Or do they? You see, it's not just about "owning" a so-called
"the desktop" as in Microsoft "owning" it.... It's about the
integration that undercuts the competition within the particular
market segment, whether it's Windows, MacOS or X-Windows. Each is a
market unto itself, and each has gone the exact same route, because it
provides a better, more integrated experience for the users of that
particular desktop. You thrash Microsoft for doing the same thing you
encourage in Linux? Sorry, but that is inconsistent. Microsoft does
what it does for the convenience of the customer (which may or may not
be the end user, btw), as does every other desktop environment out
there. Be careful what you wish for... You may get it.

-- 
 -Jon Glass
Krakow, Poland
<jonglass at usa.net>

"I don't believe in philosophies. I believe in fundamentals." --Jack Nicklaus