Greg,

I think you're closer than anyone else here. This is nothing more than an alternative tax if they fine MSFT. Look at where the cigarette money is going today. What percentage is in actual reduce-the-numbers-of-smokers area? 5-10%?? I'm absolutely delighted to see the gun manufacturers standing up and fighting the government - not because I want more guns out there but rather that I want less government out there, particularly the kind that will break down your doors without the proper paperwork and haul an innocent child off.

I'm not concerned about multiple companies whatsoever. Look, the bunch running MSFT are far smarter than the dunderheads in government, almost without exception. I would get concerned if those running the show now decided to leave, though I don't see that happening. Technically and in a business sense MSFT will continue to flourish if for no other reason than they understand the nature of change in our profession.

If judges are so dang smart let them build a successful software business. Same for Congressmen, Senators and states attorneys generals, all of whom seem to be best at sticking their hands in the pockets of citizens.

Other than that I don't have any opinion either way... <g>

Best,

DD


>If the judge fines MS, I don't think that any of the money would go to AOL/Netscape or any of the companies that supposedly have been harmed. I imagine it would go into the US Treasury. What would be the point of that except as a punitive measure.
>
>In the days before the PC, IBM served a useful purpose by R&D'ing many advances and setting many useful standards (such as SQL). MS has served a similar purpose by developing (or at least marketing ) many advances.
>
>For the sake of MS in the legal case, one might hope that Linux will show itself to be a strong competitor and soon.