[ale] Dan Gillmor on Microsoft

[Dow Hurst]

We need to start a ALE-depressinglyMS mail list so those who want to get 
depressed can just read that list.
dow

Jim wrote:

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>Microsoft is reporting record profits from the last quarter, which they 
>attribute largely to their new, extortionary licensing scheme. I thought 
>htese words from Silicon Valley columnist Dan Gillmor were worth sharing with 
>everybody on the list:
>
>Microsoft Piggy Bank Tops $40 Billion
>Posted by Dan Gillmor
>
>What happens when a monopolist raises prices? One guess.
>
>Microsoft hit the jackpot in the most recent quarter, ringing up a staggering 
>$4 billion profit on sales of $7.7 billion. I hope reporters covering this 
>story note some of the subtleties, including Microsoft's strategy of not 
>counting some of the profits until later years and its continual accumulation 
>of cash.
>
>As of Sept. 30, Microsoft had gone over the $40 billion mark in cash and 
>short-term investments (effectively the same). Think about that -- $40 
>billion.
>
>What is Microsoft going to do with this money? They can't spend it fast enough 
>internally, and the top shareholders, who control the company, refuse to 
>issue dividends (this saves Bill Gates et al billions in taxes). Prediction: 
>Once Microsoft is out from under what's left of the antitrust case, it'll go 
>on a strategic investment and acquisition spree the likes of which you cannot 
>even imagine.
>
>The monopoly continues, unabated, and could even grow stronger. Innovation is 
>almost dead in desktop software, where Microsoft has sucked the financial 
>oxygen out of the system. The company's behavior doesn't improve. It's no 
>coincidence. Too bad we no longer have a government that's willing to enforce 
>the antitrust laws, and technology buyers who feel so trapped they won't even 
>consider alternatives. Life, circa 2002.
>
>http://www.siliconvalley.com/mld/siliconvalley/business/columnists/dan_gillmor/ejournal/4307752.htm
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__________________________________________________________
Dow Hurst                  Office: 770-499-3428
Systems Support Specialist    Fax: 770-423-6744
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Chemistry Department SC428  Email:dhurst at kennesaw.edu
Kennesaw State University         Dow.Hurst at mindspring.com
Kennesaw, GA 30144
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