AOL helped create Microsoft's browser monopoly
Snippets and my response on their talkback:
This article is wrong on so many points, it's hard to tell where to begin, so I'll just start from the beginning:
Is it because Microsoft exercised its monopoly power and forced us all to use Internet Explorer? Not at all, although that's what AOL (and our government) would like you to believe.
The facts are just the opposite, and may be startling: It's all AOL's fault. I know. I was there.
Microsoft (supposedly) tied IE into the Windows 98 operating system such that it couldn't be removed without the computer functioning.
Microsoft FORBADE OEM computer manufacturers from providing Netscape and other manufacturers software on the desktop of new PCs.
The newly minted Windows 95 operating system was due to come out, and Microsoft wanted to reach AOL's 5 million members. Coincidentally, AOL wanted to be on the Windows desktop.
Microsoft offered Internet Explorer for free, and even allowed AOL a spot in its Online Services folder. AOL saved $50 million and got a fairly decent browser, plus visibility on every Windows install.
Microsoft came out with MSN, and added AOL, CompuServ, Prodigy, and any other ISP service to list of Banned applications that OEMs could preinstall.
AOL et al sued Microsoft to get access to purchasers of new PCs, and won (actually, I think this was settled out of court), and thus the Online Services folder was born.
Microsoft did not invent, write, conceive or otherwise have anything to do with the birth of IE. In fact, Microsoft's goal was to usurp all other online providers and become the leading online services provider. They DIDN'T count on the internet becoming so popular. When they weren't winning with MSN, they bought a company called Spyglass and thus IE was born. The very fact the Microsoft gave away IE for free demonstrates Microsoft's market power. If you don't understand that, I think a course in Economics 101 is for you.
The section about Netscape's ego and greed I can't argue with. HOWEVER even if AOL had gone with Netscape way back when, there's no doubt Microsoft would have ever let AOL stay installed on Windows PCs (try to find AOL on a new PC now...the online services folder is gone. MS is ACTIVELY trying to take over the Internet).
But then, something started to happen that would change the landscape forever and show Netscape's greed to be its downfall. AOL began an unprecedented period of growth, going from 5 million members to 8 million, 12 million, 15 million, and eventually on to 33 million members, all using Internet Explorer.
That, my friends, is the only reason Internet Explorer is the "winner" of the browser "war." If things had turned out differently, we might all be using Netscape today instead of IE. AOL's ascendancy tore Netscape up, leaving it a shell of its former glorious self.
Bull, pure and simple. Netscape's greed may have played a role in its downfall, but that's doubtful. When you BUSINESS is browsers, and someone wants to take over that business by giving away the very product that is your bread and butter, what do you THINK is going to happen? Back to ECON 101 for you!
Oh, and the REASON for AOL's growth? IT'S THE INTERNET! AOL existed with it's own national network for YEARS before the internet age dawned. Once the internet craze started to hit, AOL realized it's value and provided means for its customers to access the internet THROUGH its own network.
AOL is locked into a contract for using IE in their product. I don't know when it's up, but The reason AOL bought Netscape is to GET OUT FROM UNDER Microsoft's Thumb of death.
This was AOL's shrewdest move of all. AOL now owns the competition, and if Microsoft doesn't treat AOL well, the software giant could find itself out in the cold.
This is beyond ridiculous. Let me break this down into something simple. Computers are hardware. Bits and peices of plastic, metal, silicon, fiberglass, and wire. That's all they are. To make a computer actually DO something requires software. It requires an Operating System to interact with the computer's hardware, and applications to interact with the user. AOL is an application. It won't run without an operating system. Try it sometime.
It's a symbiotic relationship, but it heavily favors Microsoft. Why? Because Microsoft isn't stupid enough to alienate the millions of people who use the internet and have therefore provided means within the operating system to access the internet, through ANY true ISP just by typing in the phone number, your username and password.
And brings me to the crux of my point. AOL is far from a monopoly, and is in no more control of the online services market than I am. (Although the title King of the Internet appeals to me.. ;-)) There IS choice, and a lot of it in the ISP realm. Walk into CompUSA, BestBuy, or any other retailer. All you can buy is Windows PCs or Macs. Try to buy a PC without Windows.
Imagine what might happen if AOL decided one day that it no longer wanted (or needed) Microsoft's support, and moved to replace Internet Explorer with Netscape. The numbers in the browser usage tables would almost completely flip-flop, and other ISPs would follow suit as developers started to pay more attention to the new market leader, Netscape.
What?!? Do you understand what you just said?? So what if they did? (and they should, Netscape's Mozilla back end is the most standards-compliant browser out there.) The point you are missing is that IE IS INSTALLED AND UNREMOVABLE IN EVERY PC MADE TODAY AND FOR THE FORSEEABLE FUTURE. Netscape will NEVER EVER EVER catch up to IE, let alone surpass it unless this changes, no matter how many people use AOL.
No, it's not Microsoft that is in control of this market. It is clearly America Online. And for AOL to be suing anyone over charges of monopolistic business practices is to rewrite history.
YOUR article is attempting to rewrite history.
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Steve
