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Story: Microsoft throws governments a standardisation bone

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"Virtually all the barriers"

Microsoft's business strategies are better than it's software, as everyone knows, even if not particular ethical or edifying. We have seen Microsoft come from behind so many times to dominate and there can be no doubt that this is another such move.

It is quite correct that we should be suspicious and turn over every stone to see what's under it.

However, Microsoft has achieved a position of dominance which is almost unchallengeable, regardless of all the rumbles. Most people consider, impotently, that this is extremely unacceptable, even dangerous.

A point of interest is that there is almost no equivalent in any other industry for the sustained attack on competitors that is practiced by Microsoft, rather than healthy competition on the merit of it's products, whereby choice is both being stifled and denied.

Another fear is the concentration of power in a single, and potentially unaccountable, private organisation whose tentacles will reach into every aspect of our lives, in particular not only policing all our activities, but also dictating the policies which should flow from elected governments and judicial systems.

I fear that the boat has already sailed.

As always, I am reminded of the driven Jonas Cord in the Harold Robins' novel 'The Carpet Baggers'. However, he did see the light and change his ways at the end of the novel when he realised he had no friends left.

Microsoft did not have to alienate us all, that has been their choice which, ultimately, demonstrates their low (sorry, I can't find the right word) opinion of us, their customers.

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