Hello, Once again we pause our regularly scheduled lessons to bring current events. One of the things that has almost everybody and their modem, held in somewhat anticipation is the release of Windows 95. What's in it for the Info Highway Traveler? What about this New Microsoft Network? To see the progress of this awaited release via a news article read on...
(Aug. 9) (AP&DJN)
Antitrust regulators with the U.S. Justice Department say they won't take action on the Microsoft Network or Microsoft Corp.'s new Windows 95 software before the new products' release in two weeks. Justice Department officials late yesterday released a two-sentence statement saying a probe of the Microsoft Network "and other issues associated with possible anti-competitive practices relating to Windows 95 is ongoing, (but that) the department does not expect to complete its investigation or reach a decision on possible enforcement action" before the Aug. 24 release. Business writer Rob Wells of The Associated Press said the Justice Department "gave few hints when the large-scale investigation will conclude."
Microsoft spokesman Greg Shaw told Wells, "We are pleased the Justice Department decided not to challenge the August 24 launch" and the company is proceeding "full speed ahead." As noted, the federal regulators are examining whether combining Microsoft Network access software with Windows 95 will give the company an unfair advantage over other online services.
Says Wells, "There's been abundant speculation within the computer industry that the department would have to decide before the Aug. 24 launch of Windows 95 whether to bring a case against Microsoft. Industry experts say it would be easier and less expensive for Microsoft to rewrite the software code and separate the online service from Windows 95 prior to the program's public release. However, Microsoft went into final production of Windows 95 last month, making such a rewrite less likely." CompuServe attorney Steve Heaton told AP the Justice Department statement is evidence the government has decided to prepare a "thoughtful and well-prepared case."
Heaton, who is providing material to Justice investigators, said he has received no indication the government is backing off its investigation, adding, "The activity we have had with the Department of Justice investigators has expanded into activities concerning Internet access, the role of Windows 95 and how it affects other Internet providers."
In the Wall Street Journal this morning, reporter Don Clark notes the Justice Department doesn't ordinarily provide guidance on the status of a pending antitrust investigation, "but an agency spokeswoman explained that after being bombarded by inquiries from the computer industry, the press and the public, department officials felt it would be appropriate to clarify that the Aug. 24 date wasn't a critical deadline for the decision on what action the government will take, if any."
Said Clark, "The move underscores the complexity of the agency's investigation," which has included subpoenas to PC makers, software publishers and competing online services. As reported, the department also recently asked competitors about Microsoft's plans to include software for navigating a portion of the Internet called the World Wide Web.
Analyst David Readerman of Montgomery Securities in San Francisco told the paper, "Had they chosen to delay Windows 95, it would have created disruption through the entire PC industry food chain, not to mention the carnage that would have taken place in the tech stock sector." He predicts Microsoft's cost to recall Windows 95 before Aug. 24 at up to $315 million, and says a delay until October could have cost $900 million.
Meanwhile, CompuServe spokesman Pierce Reid is quoted in this morning's Journal as saying the company is confidence the investigators still will take action after further investigation. "It would seem to indicate that they want to make sure they have all their ducks in a row before they file suit," Reid said. "This doesn't change our position that we consider Microsoft's practices anti- competitive."
Well we wrap yet another Lesson! Hoping your Cyber Travels are prosperous ones! Remember these lessons are always available via:
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Our Tip of the Week...
How do you spice of your PC's sounds in Windows? Tired of the regular sounds? Want something new to listen to? Where do you go?
Answer.
FTP
Where?
garbo.uwasa.fi
Directory?
windows/sound/*
Where are the Mac Sound Files?
Answer.
FTP
Where?
oak.oakland.edu
Directory?
Simtel/msdos/sound/
File name?
remac.zip