I doubt they'll leave either.

I think Bob was just throwing that in for laugh value.

One of MS's major power bases is in its stock value. Could they be listed on NASDAQ if they weren't a US company? I know that things like ADRs (American Depository Receipts or some such thing) lets foreign corporations list on US markets, but those listings are done by companies which also have a US presence - AFAIK. If MS was trying to run away, then I'd think it wouldn't want a US presence. But I'm just speculating...

MS is big enough that I'm sure NASDAQ would do whatever was possible to change the rules for it...

I don't expect a breakup either, but believe it's still on the table (depending on the judge who gets the case).

I also am hoping for (but not expecting) that the courts will rule that MS's software can be resold...that MS does not get the option to say that the software can be used only as they say.... of all options, it would benefit the consumer the most...but I don't expect to see it.

That indeed would be a very big help to consumers. But I'd think it would take some sort of action which extends beyond the MS case for that to happen. An act of congress or something restricting the terms which can be imposed on software licenses.

Cheers,
Scott.

I think Bob was just throwing that in for laugh value

I took it as implying that they've got a leak on the team looking into it.

And I fully believe that. The leak, and the team.

Remember, this is Bill Gates we're talking about here. Damn straight he'd think of that. And probably, he'll get humored, more than argued with, at least until it gets more serious.

Fine, go ahead, look into it.

Run from the cops... see if it doesn't make them look more guilty and less ethical.

I don't expect a breakup either, but believe it's still on the table (depending on the judge who gets the case).

I'm hoping the DoJ and the remaining states will do something EFFECTIVE this time.

Microsoft's behavior in the interim should be a major part of the next remedy phase.

I still think, to be effective, they've got to be split:
Operating System
Internet (Server Apps)
Apps (Desktop)
Hardware
Multimedia
And maybe an "Enterprise", with the "Hailstorm" sort of stuff.

And I'd even let them pick how to split things, with some oversight.

Cept IE would go with the OS team, based on sworn testimony. :)

*That* would be effective, and force Microsoft to compete with people, disseminate information about interfaces, etc.

Addison

Welcome to IWETHEY!