Comment by wvenable

Comment by wvenable 8 days ago

> This really seems like looking back with rose-colored glasses.

It works both ways. It's hard to look back at the time while ignoring all the paths the road has taken since then.

Microsoft has always been company that is very good at building software compared their competition at the time. Their office productivity software, for example, is what made Windows popular (Windows is useless without apps). It's easy to give more weight to their flaws because, in many ways, their successes just seem obvious now.

mmooss 8 days ago

> Microsoft has always been company that is very good at building software compared their competition at the time.

I have never, ever heard that. (Edit: Name such software today.)

> Their office productivity software, for example, is what made Windows popular (Windows is useless without apps).

Completely false. Windows was already a monopoly, and the US government successfully sued Microsoft for using their Windows monopoly to leverage sales for Office. They told manufacturers: If you want Windows (which was essential) for the computer, you must pay for an Office license too.

Where do you get this stuff or why are you posting it?

Reply View 4 replies

wvenable 8 days ago

> Completely false. Windows was already a monopoly, and the US government successfully sued Microsoft for using their Windows monopoly to leverage sales for Office.
The government lawsuit was specifically about Internet Explorer, not Office. At no time were manufacturers forced to pay for Office licenses. Go ahead, look it up, I'll wait.
Where do you get your stuff and why are posting it? You do know that Office applications existed before Windows, right? Excel came out for Mac OS first.

Reply View | 3 replies
- mmooss 7 days ago
  
  > The government lawsuit was specifically about Internet Explorer, not Office.
  There was more than one government action back then - DR-DOS (maybe a private lawsuit), IE, Office, maybe others. It's possible Microsoft settled before anything was filed for the Office abuse, but there was government action on it.
  > At no time were manufacturers forced to pay for Office licenses. Go ahead, look it up, I'll wait.
  Do I work for you? What will you give me to look it up for you?
  Why are you making this stuff up?
  
  Reply View | 2 replies
  
  wvenable 7 days ago
  
  You: Vague over-exaggerated unsubstantiated claims without even being able to say what decade you're referring to.
  Also you: "Why are you making stuff up."
  I lived through this entire time. You're right you don't work for me but if you're going to make wild claims you should back them up or not continue to post misinformation as fact.
  I guarantee to you that there was never any government action (or even proposed action) against Microsoft for Office.
  
  Reply View | 1 reply
  
  mmooss 7 days ago
  
  What will you give me if I prove you wrong? Let's make a bet. How about a note in the loser's profile for a month? 'I was a fool to doubt _____'. (I feel like we need something more creative.) :)
  > if you're going to make wild claims you should back them up
  Same goes for you.
  I'm just going to preserve this claim here:
  > I guarantee to you that there was never any government action (or even proposed action) against Microsoft for Office.
  A guarantee! Can I sue if you're wrong? :)
  
  Reply View | 0 replies