roundtable: M$ Monitor: Something's Fishy

roundtable: M$ Monitor: Something's Fishy

M$ Monitor: Something's Fishy

Audrie Krause (audrie@netaction.org)
Tue, 19 Aug 1997 14:08:18 -0700 (PDT) 

Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 14:08:18 -0700 (PDT)
Message-Id: <2.2.16.19970819140924.2ad75b5a@pop.igc.org>
To: audrie@netaction.org
From: Audrie Krause <audrie@netaction.org>
Subject: M$ Monitor: Something's Fishy


The Micro$oft Monitor
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Published by NetAction          Issue No. 8                  August 19, 1997	
Repost where appropriate. Copyright and subscription info at end of message.
* * * * * * *                         
In This Issue:
Something's Fishy
A Byte Of Apple
See You In September?
Locating Antitrust Laws
About The Micro$oft Monitor
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Something's Fishy

Picture a big fish that vaguely resembles Bill Gates, mouth wide open,
swallowing up all the little fish he encounters as he swims through the sea.
NetAction envisioned just such a fish when we set out to create a logo for
the Consumer Choice Campaign.  We wanted an image that would convey our
concerns about Microsoft without words.
 
You'll find the results of our creative endeavor on the NetAction Web site,
at <http://www.netaction.org/msoft/winfish.html>, along with instructions on
how to post a copy of the logo on your own Web site.  If you're concerned
about the Microsoft monopoly, help spread the word about the Consumer Choice
Campaign by catching the fish and displaying it prominently on your Web site.

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A Byte Of Apple

When Steve Jobs stunned MacWorld earlier this month by announcing that
Microsoft was investing $150 million in Apple, some industry observers
speculated that the move might help Microsoft avoid further antitrust
charges, since Apple represents one of the few alternatives to the Microsoft
Windows-Intel processor combo.  A more likely explanation is that Microsoft
bought itself an ally against a more formidable competitive threat -- Sun
Microsystems' Java programming language.

Aside from some positive PR, it seems likely that the value of the Apple
investment to Microsoft is Apple's agreement to collaborate on the Java
programming language to ensure consistent operation on both Windows and
Macintosh platforms.  Since Microsoft does consider Java a competitive
threat, the $150 million investment in non-voting stock is a relatively
inexpensive way to get Apple to follow its lead on Java.  

Moreover, Apple's agreement to make Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) the
default Web browser for the Mac, and Microsoft's pledge to continue offering
its Office business productivity software suite for the Mac platform for
another five years, are likely to strengthen Microsoft's control of the
browser and application software markets.  So, all things considered, the
MacWorld announcement should have set off alarm bells at the Justice
Department.  The fact that it hasn't just underscores the agency's apathy
toward antitrust enforcement.  

On a more positive note, the Justice Department is now investigating
Microsoft's purchases in the video streaming market to determine whether the
company violated antitrust laws by purchasing VXtreme and investing in
Progressive Networks.

Got something to say about the Apple investment or Microsoft's forays into
video streaming technology?  Tell it to the Justice Department by writing to
<antitrust@usdoj.gov>.
  
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See You In September?

With the help of some dedicated volunteers, NetAction is making progress in
organizing a September 15 visit to Congress to tell our representatives why
Microsoft's move to monopolize cyberspace is a threat to consumers.  

There is still time to register to participate, so circle the date on your
calendar, and visit the NetAction web site to sign up:
<http://www.netaction.org/lobby-form.html>.

As we explained when we first announced the event, only a few members of
Congress really understand the Internet, and even fewer understand why
Microsoft is a threat to the Net's continued growth and development.  Since
we can't rely on the Justice Department to stop the Microsoft monopoly, we
must educate Congress and convince our representatives to put pressure on
the Justice Department to vigorously enforce the laws intended to protect
competition.  Congress needs to hear from real people -- Internet users like
you who understand the Microsoft threat and can talk about your experiences
with Microsoft products.   

So if it's at all possible, please plan to participate.  Even if you've
never done anything like this before, you can do it. NetAction will provide
you with background material to hand out to your representatives, buttons to
wear during your visits, and a brief lesson in lobbying techniques to help
you communicate effectively with your representatives.

If enough of us speak out, Congress will listen and the Microsoft monopoly
will be stopped!  

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Locating Antitrust Laws

Laws aimed at protecting a competitive market are not unique to the United
States, and Charles Mueller, Editor of the Antitrust Law & Economics Review, 
<http://webpages.metrolink.net/~cmueller> is attempting to compile a list of
all the countries that have enacted antitrust laws.  Micro$oft Monitor
readers who have information about antitrust laws in nations other than the
United States can contact Charles directly <cmueller@metrolink.net>. 

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About The Micro$oft Monitor

The Micro$oft Monitor is a free electronic newsletter, published as part of
the Consumer Choice Campaign <http://www.netaction.org/msoft/ccc.html>.
NetAction is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to educating the
public, policy makers, and the media about technology-based social and
political issues, and to teaching activists how to use the Internet for
organizing, outreach, and advocacy.

To subscribe to The Micro$oft Monitor, write to: <majordomo@netaction.org>.
The body of the message should state: <subscribe monitor>.  To unsubscribe
at any time, send a message to: <majordomo@netaction.org>.  The body of the
message should state: <unsubscribe monitor>

NetAction is supported by individual contributions, membership dues and
grants. For more information about contributing to NetAction, contact Audrie
Krause by phone at (415) 775-8674, by E-mail at audrie@netaction.org, visit the
NetAction Web site at: <http://www.netaction.org>, or write to: 
NetAction * 601 Van Ness Ave., No. 631 * San Francisco, CA 94102

To learn more about how activists can use the Internet for grassroots
organizing, outreach, and advocacy, subscribe to NetAction Notes, a free
electronic newsletter published twice a month.  

To subscribe to NetAction Notes, send a message to: <majordomo@netaction.org>
The body of the message should state: <subscribe netaction>.  To unsubscribe
at any time, send a message to: <majordomo@netaction.org>.  The body of the
message should state: <unsubscribe netaction>.
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Copyright 1997 by NetAction/The Tides Center.  All rights reserved.
Material may be reposted or reproduced for non-commercial use provided
NetAction is cited as the source.  NetAction is a project of The Tides
Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

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