Re: Boycott Microsoft

Rick Hatton writes ...
>
> Rubywand <rubywand_at_swbell.net> wrote:
> > Since Microsoft can easily demonstrate that it has owned and
> > produced the standard OS for years, it will be nearly impossible to show
> > that Microsoft had any motivation to damage anyone in order to sell the
> > next version of its OS.
>
> MS got their by illegal means. Witness the present consent decree.

     Everyone knows very well that doj grabbed the 'Tar Baby' and now they are trying to turn loose.

> > A good example of what happens when you lose control of your
> > product's major features is Apple's sorry performance as a PC
> > manufacturer. Apple can make no significant changes to its product
> > without sacrificing compatibility and/or increasing costs.
>
> Compare the cost the iMac with that of a compq presario of the same mhz.
> They are the same.

     So what? If they are identical, then they are identically uncompetitive with nearly all same-priced PC's.

>
> > Were Apple to introduce a
> > new high-performance non-PC Apple II, it would regain control of its
> > product and be in a position to win a significant share of the home and
> > education markets
>
> No one is in control of the PC platform.
 ....

     Right. And, that includes Apple. Unlike slap-together shops, Apple has a large personnel roster and high fixed capital costs. Its prices are considerably higher for comparable machines.      

>
> > Unlike Apple leadership, Microsoft management understands the need
> > to control vital features of its primary product. It helps to explain
> > why Microsoft is prosperous while Apple skates from quarter to quarter
> > on the verge of collapse.
>
> Apple has "skated quarter to quarter" only recently.

     About a year ago, they were trying to sell out. Microsoft came to the 'rescue' (so to speak); but, Apple remains in trouble. It is not any big secret.

> Apple does have
> control of their product. Witness what happend to the Mac clones.

     That is brand control, not product control. Mac or Mac clone, you are still talking about a PC. Apple is stuck with making cook book computers that nearly everyone else makes much more cheaply.

     When they do something a bit different-- e.g. the "All in One" Macs-- they blow it with over-priced machines featuring graphics capabilities you'd have trouble selling at half the price.

     Well, perhaps 2MB Rage II video was the best Apple could do at the price quoted. If this is the case, too bad. The company needs to get out of PC manufacturing and back into _non_-PC manufacturing before total collapse eliminates any chance of a turnaround.

> BTW,
> Apple stock has almost tripled in the few moneys.

     Apple common is currently trading around $30/share. This is roughly $8 above the price following the MS bailout.

> What MS management
> understands is how to bully the market with every means, legal and
> illlegal.

 ....

     More ranting. What Microsoft understands is how to make money selling computer stuff.

Rubywand Received on Fri May 15 1998 - 00:00:00 CDT