[geeks] GAH! City of Austin Vs. Microsoft

[Gary Nichols]

On Fri, 19 Apr 2002, Kurt Huhn wrote:
> Gary Nichols wrote:
> > 
> > I think their compliance with Micro$hit's demand was "Pay us $X and use no
> > other OS, or pay us $X^2".
> 
> My response would be "prove we stole it".  Whatever happened to
> presumption of innocence?  Though I suppose a court battle would be more
> expensive, even in th eshort term...

We're talking about Micro$haft here.  Between them and their bed-buddies 
the BSA (not the boy scouts) they are similar to Judge Dredd.  Sheriff, 
judge, jury.  

<Mickey Mouse-ish Bill Gates voice>
I am the law!  huh-hah!
</Mickey Mouse-ish Bill Gates voice>

I think it was the fear of an added penalty, the publicity and those nasty 
court costs that made them cave.  :-(

> > "Microsoft sends a mixed message
> > Software leader falls short on 3Q profit, expects sales to fall even further
> > in current quarter."
> 
> Happy day!  Hmm, must that linux thing snarfing sales from Windows. 
> Then again, they apparently fell *way* short on sales estimates of the
> xBox.  My response to that is "really, you don't say!"

I shed tears for them.... (of joy).

Gary