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Microsoft Exec Warns Court of Computer Frustration | |
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| Time: 12:31 EST/17:31 GMT | News Source: Reuters | Posted By: Robert Stein | ||
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Using a personal computer would turn into a confusing and frustrating experience under antitrust sanctions sought against Microsoft Corp. by nine states, a Microsoft executive testified on Thursday. Christopher Jones, in charge of development of the Windows operating system for desktop computers, said proposals to let computer makers and rival software developers tinker with parts of Windows would create chaos for consumers and hurt the computer industry. | ||
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| #1 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 4/25/2002 2:06:35 PM |
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I'd have to agree with the Exec on this one. One of the complaints that I keep seeing amongst my computer illiterate friends and relatives that I help is that there are too many damn options.
My second cousin wanted to connect a zip drive up to her computer. I told her to get an external one with USB, as long as she had USB on her computer. If not, I had a USB card she could have. Her response... "Huh?" Or when I try to explain all the settings in Outlook to my parents. Their response "Can you just come over here and set it up right." Just when I think we are moving away from this, towards a computing platform that is really solid and understandable... someone throws a wrench into the works and makes it convoluted again. I really do not want to go back to the way things were, because it sucked back then. I want to move ahead, towards a new future. Actually this is one thing Apple has gotten right. Their systems are much more consistent and easier. Unfortunately the downside is the use of proprietary interfaces so as to prevent anybody from adding non-authorized peripherals to the machines, which makes the hardware very expensive. But it is easier, so I grant them that. |
| #2 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 4/25/2002 2:08:49 PM |
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#8 - Actually that is one point I do agree with. I was in favor of Microsoft either being split up physicall or via a chinese wall with regards to Office and the OS. Unfortunately the DOJ didn't go down that route, they instead tried to argue this nonsense about the HTML rendering engine should not be part of the OS.
This case would have had far different results if the DOJ had devised a good argument back in '97. |
| #3 By 4209 (163.192.21.2) at 4/25/2002 2:38:24 PM |
| #11 there is a reason it is Roxio lite on XP. That is that MS licenses Lite versions of software and in turn tells people it is that. So then the consumer should go buy the full version. The backup software in 2K and XP is Veritas Backup Lite. The Defrag util in 2K and XP is Diskeeper Lite. They do not want to write the software themselves and they can't since they have deals worked out with those companies. The companies license them Lite versions and MS puts it in to not only help themselves by adding functionality, but the side effect is that it helps the Company as well, since they get every Windows 2K and XP install. |
| #4 By 2332 (129.21.145.80) at 4/25/2002 3:35:54 PM |
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Ok, let me get this straight:
First you argue that Microsoft has too much control, and that them bundling dumbed down versions of applications that are just "good enough" makes the user complacent, and therefore kills competition that are making similar tools. (Winzip, Roxio, Real, etc.) Then you argue that Microsoft should be forced to remove these components from *their* product, so these companies can have chance. But if the user is too stupid to go download a better program when they're unhappy with the one in the OS (which, presumably, they must be), what makes you think they would be smart enough to go and find their competitors software on their own? Why not force Microsoft to place ads for every possible 3rd party utility on the desktop? Why not force Microsoft to send a guy in a nice suit to every user's home, and inform them of the 3rd party products. Any when the user says "But I could do this fine in XP", the MS employee can say, "Nah, you hated it... that's why your state came and sued the crap out of us, so now you have to pay money for a product that if you really wanted before, you could have bought it on your own, and it would have worked fine." Ya, sounds good. I hate not having to install Winzip the second I get a new machine up and running. (Although I own a copy, and install it anyway, BECAUSE I LIKE THE FEATURES). I hate not having to find 20 different media players to play different kinds of movies. I hate not having to download and deal with the behemoth that is ICQ. I hate... well, you get the point. Does nobody see that Microsoft including these features in the OS *drives* competition? Few would argue that Nero isn't as good as the built in burning in XP. But now Nero has to be *better*. That's the DEFINITION of competition. Plus, why the hell should I need a 3rd party program to write something to a disk? Would you accept that if you had to by NeroFloppy to write a file to a floppy disk? What about NeroHD to write some files to your hard drive? A computer is a tool. Microsoft makes software that helps you use that tool. They should have the right to create any software they wish that does that job. Don't like it, don't buy it. If it has a feature that used to require a 3rd party program (like, say, TCP/IP in the olden days), then great, now that 3rd party has to write better software to compete. This post was edited by RMD on Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 15:37. |
| #5 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 4/25/2002 3:38:13 PM |
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#11 - So? Why must all third party companies be protected at the expense of the consumer? Frankly I think Roxio has been ripping us off blind for years charging $100 for their software. This is functionality that should be cheap, plentiful and yes, in the OS.
If I look at everything that is in the OS today, and look back to my original experiences with computers back in 1982... and think, if I were to still be paying for each and every one of those optional pieces. How much would Windows XP cost? Frankly, that scares me, as the number I come up with approaches $1,000 if not more. I look at that car industry again. You do realize that only 20 years ago you were able to order a car with a no-radio option? It'd have an antenna and a hole in the dash. Well you can't any more... Is that unfair? Car seats used to be crappy and wear out, so Fingerhut had a market of selling seat covers. Now the seats aren't crappy and Fingerhut doesn't have that market. Is that unfair? I remember buying a $10 aftermarket add-on buzzer to warn me when my lights were left on. Now it's a standard feature from the factory. Is that unfair? It just keeps going like this. Where are you going to draw the line? Until you tell me where you are going to draw the line, I'm going to say your argument is crap because I don't benefit from it as a consumer. |
| #6 By 4209 (163.192.21.2) at 4/25/2002 4:20:40 PM |
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#15 was that aimed at my comment? I hope not since I was saying that MS licenses it and encourages consumers to buy the full copy.
#16 Why would MS want to get into the Burning Software market? What would they gain? Besides lawsuits from the other companies. Roxio and Adaptec make th drivers for the CD-Burners that come with the software and Windows XP. If MS wanted to write there own drivers I am sure they would have done it by now. But I am sure there is some sort of licensing and copyright stopping them. Adaptec is not stupid they would make MS license that stuff. MS is stupid sometimes but legally I am sure they are bound to them, so why mess that up. They would not make a killing off it anyway, so why bother if they are not legally bound. |
| #7 By 20 (24.243.51.87) at 4/25/2002 5:42:46 PM |
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Fustrating experience = using nVidia cards and drivers.
Damn. I love 'em, but I hate 'em =( |
| #8 By 135 (209.180.28.6) at 4/25/2002 6:22:10 PM |
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#23 - And as usual you have no argument to backup your claim.
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| #9 By 1989 (66.168.49.221) at 4/25/2002 6:51:33 PM |
| I keep reading about all these BSODs and driver problems (both of my video cards in my system are nvidia by the way) but I haven't seen a BSOD using win2k since beta2. I do a lot of programming and test a lot of beta software but no blue screen. I admit I don't play a lot of games. As for microsoft incorporating someone else software into the os as a 'lite' version and then stealing, why didn't they do that with backup (veritas) or defrag (diskeeper)??? I don't see the cd burning going that way either. |
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