Original Sender : Ari <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> --------------------------------- http://www.mediabox.net/mcr/openwin32999.html Forcing Windows Open? by Columnist: George Edward Green III As many of you may already have heard, the latest development in the MS/DOJ trial is the 19 states' wish for Microsoft to license Windows, and auction of licenses. This is a great idea! I love this idea! Still, it has to be done correctly to be effective. I cannot help but to worry whether the DOJ/19 States are capable of determining a strict enough resolution to force Microsoft to do this. Thus, here are my thoughts on what needs to be part of just such a deal. First and foremost, the resolution must refer to any and all operating systems, shells, and OS-like browsers made by Microsoft. The execs at MS are not dumb, if any actual name is mentioned they'll quickly pull the same thing Apple did to get out of its contracts with cloners; they'll rename the OS to avoid their obligations. Thus there must be a very wide, but specific definition of OS. That's right even one that Bill I-Don't-Know-The-Meaning-Of-Competition Gates can understand. It would be severe folly to suggest such a solution to the MS monopoly, only to have Microsoft escape so easily. Also, Microsoft must be forced to license ALL of Windows. Especially the QD-DOS, that they are so secretive with. Indeed it will be very surprising to see just what secrets are in that source code. It is these secrets that Microsoft has been using to keep ahead of the competition for years. Microsoft must license not only the current, and past Windows code, but provide the source to all future operating systems as well. Again, it would be silly to have to go through this process every time Microsoft comes up with something new that it considers to be a different OS. Another important thing to note, is that Microsoft should be forced to provide updates to the source code promptly. Overseers should be appointed to ensure that current Windows builds use the same code as is available to licensees. Failure to meet either of these must result in strict, and immediate penalties. Microsoft cannot be allowed to right off this solution as a cost of business as it has past rulings. This ruling must apply to all Microsoft subsidiaries, as well as to any operating system that Microsoft might resell. This will prevent Microsoft from simply attaining a large interest in some other company, and exploiting their control over them to maintain the same monopoly status they have today. In fact one can easily see just what kind of company might make an OS worth such efforts, and which Microsoft already controls and interest in. Additionally however, Microsoft must be fairly reimbursed for its source code. Companies looking to market code derived from Windows source code should have to pay fairly for that privilege. If necessary the government might even help out by reimbursing Microsoft for this code. The basic issue here is that Microsoft shouldn't be unfairly treated. While they obviously cannot go unchecked, neither should they be prohibited from competing in normal ways. Still though these are but few of the many things that must be addressed before such a resolution would be acceptable, and expected to actually solve the problem. The great thing is however that if done right, this could actually solve the problem! Windows source would be available, so it could be innovated upon, and companies competing with Microsoft would know the same things about Windows as Microsoft does, and when Microsoft known them! At the same time however, Microsoft would be reimbursed for their technology, and expenses. Windows could then also come to other platforms (admittedly this is not a clear benefit of such a resolution.). Apple for instance could purchase such a license, and add Windows compatibility to OS X, in such a way as to actually make it effective for current Windows users to use Mac OS X. Still however, Apple would have to pay for this privilege, and thus Microsoft would not really be losing that much money on the deal. This of course is just one of many scenarios. Being as the proposal only received mainstream attention recently, much has yet to be considered. The important thing though, is that this is the first proposed resolution that could actually succeed in making for a just end to the Microsoft monopoly. Personally I didn't think such was possible, or at least very much unlikely before hearing wind of this proposal. Now though I am pleased that there might just be a way to bring innovation and competition back to the now stagnant desktop world, without being unfair to either Microsoft or their competitors. It will be very interesting to see how this all plays out. Personally I'm keeping my fingers crossed that a solution like this can be agreed upon, and that justice actually be served. Email The Author mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ---------------------------------------------------------------- Compu-Mania MailingList is provided by PT Centrin Utama Maintained by : [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Post a msg : Send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] To Unsubscribe : Mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] BODY : unsubscribe Compu-Mania For more information, send mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "HELP" in the BODY of your mail (without quote). ----------------------------------------------------------------
