Doug,
If the Pepsi-potato chip company told the supermarket they wouldn't get Pepsi unless they only sold the Pepsi-potato chips, then that is more like what MS is doing with IE - MS told the big computer companies "You can't have Win95/98/etc. unless you install ONLY IE" And, of course, the computer companies have to have the OS. At least the store could sell Coke, Dr.Pepper, etc.

>Barbara,
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>Do you have any experience with supermarkets and the whole process of shelving products? Essentially, each linear foot has an annual value, also depending on the vertical location of that shelf as well. Endcaps, particularly those at cash registers and eye-level shelves are the best locations. Vendors compete for shelf space and stores pay for that space. The competition is extremely fierce. For example, at the church I attend is a fellow who delivers a local brand of potato chip named Clover Club (actually bought out by a conglomerate if I recall). Anyway another company, Pepsi's brand (Laura Scudder?) has recently agressively moved on the local marketplace buy paying premium dollars for shelf space. One store apparently sold the space of Clover Club for some $40,000 pr year. The new company actually pays the supermarket for the priviledge of using that space. Anyway, their goal is to own 90% of all potato chip shelf space in Utah by year's end.
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>Now, is that really any different with the potato chip folks than with Microsoft?? Dunno...
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