Doing the Math in the Microsoft Anti-Trust Cases

coupland writes "Bob Cringely has posted this week's column and has made some interesting comments. He says that regardless of what happens in the EU, DOJ, and class-action proceedings, Microsoft can't lose. Why? Because they make more money by paying lip-service to the law and accepting the occasional fine than by complying. He even does some simple math to prove his point. Fascinating stuff."

Well, of course...

[ajutla]

They're Microsoft! What, were you expecting them to play nice?

How they'll pay Sun Microsystems...

[Anonymous Coward]

Word on the street is that Sun will get $2 billion dollars of vouchers for Windows 98 and Office 97.

Why not?

[Anonymous Coward]

I think he dismisses the killing and maiming option far too quickly.

Re:I did the math

[Anonymous Coward]

They are both a hell of a lot more stable than Win95/98/SE/ME

In a rear-end collision a Corvair is safer than a Pinto.

Re:Tell ya what...

[Anonymous Coward]

Little Johnny goes out fishing with his grandpa one day. Like most grandfathers would, grandpa brings along a cooler of beer for his enjoyment. As he opens a refreshing beverage, Little Johnny asks "Hey Grandpa, can I have one?"

"Well Johnny, can your dick touch your asshole?" asks Grandpa.

"No Grandpa, it can't." Johnny replies.

Grandpa tells Johnny "Well when it does, you can have one."

So Grandpa and Johnny fish for a while when suddenly Johnny gets a big catch. As he reels it in, it turns out not to be a fish but a briefcase full of money.

"Hey Johnny, whatcha say we split the money?" asks Grandpa.

"Well Grandpa, can your dick touch your asshole?"

Grandpa, being the clever old man responds "Why yes Johnny, yes it can."

Johnny responds "Well then go fuck yourself old man, this money is mine!"

Doing the math in the Linux cases: Linux cant win

[stratjakt]

0$ profit
-$699 liscencing fee
= -$699 net profit

Re:What a suprise

[Texas Rose on Lava L]

Did anyone ever come back from vacation to find $10,485,750 worth of tickets on their windshield?

Re:I did the math

[Tony]

Those of us that use XP and 2k would not agree with you. They are both a hell of a lot more stable than Win95/98/SE/ME.

That's damning with faint praise....

Re:This guy sucks

[The Bungi]

some opinionated spittle you concoct about it?

I was going to say "Welcome to Slahsdot!" and then I saw your UIN. I must assume that you have other issues, then.

I am also spouting said drivel

Well said.

Re:Interesting, but his economics are wrong.

[eddy the lip]

I *hope* the next President is a little smarter than GW!

My cat's free next November...

Re:"Oh, I'll just pay the fine..."

[ColaMan]

50 million stoners in the US & we can't vote out the War on (some) Drugs? WTF?

Cheech: "man, I know there's something I was supposed to be doing today... what *was* it?"

Chong: "I dunno man, pass the bong."

Cheech: "Ah fuck it - if it was important I'd remember... man, I'm feeling hungry - you up for pizza?"

And so yet another chance for the stoner revolution dies ;-)