OT: Microsoft Settlement, Class Action Options

[d7n7master]

Hi All (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wavey.gif)
If you haven't heard, us Cal folks have some microsoft money coming our way.
Wouldn't want any of us 2 miss-out. Hurry quick. 1/8/05 is the last postmark accepted.
Quick!!! Go to:
www.microsoftcalsettlement.com (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beerchug.gif)

[soloracer]

QUOTE (mohnliting @ Jan 7 2005, 07:06 PM)

I'm afraid I have to go with Scott on this one. I purchased a lot of Microsoft products during the covered time ( I was building and selling computers at the time.)  No one from Microsoft forced me to buy their products. While there is not doubt that Microsoft has used its assets to force  other companies out of business, they had the assets to do so because of customers who purchased their products. For instance. I find it interesting that Windows XP now is able to zip and unzip files. I no longer have to buy WinZip to do the job. Will this put WinZip out of business. It might if enough customers like the XP features enough to no longer buy WinZip. Is this Microsoft's fault. Maybe indirectly because they have provided the product, but if the customers don't like it they can still buy WinZip. Microsoft has included a media player in Windows for several generations, however I prefer WinAmp and Music Match Jukebox, depending on what I am doing. I have purchased both programs as well as updates because I prefer them over Microsofts player. In other words, don't blame Microsoft if they provide a product that meets a need and therefore is purchased by the public and therefore makes Bill Gates rich. If you don't like Microsoft use a Mac or install Linux. Just my opinion. Keep ranting, Scott!

However, say you were considering selling Winzip on some systems to appease a small segment of the population. Then Microsoft came to you and said "Sorry but if you do that we will raise the price of Windows that we sell you to the point that the other computer makers become much more competitive than you and since the majority of the systems you sell are Windows then you would most likely end up broke" Would you be so inclined to sell Winzip? Would you say that was "fair practice"? Just because it never happened to you doesn't mean that it hasn't happened.