IP: Microsoft responsible for the success of the Internet

[Dave Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

Date: Mon, 20 Nov 95 14:41:38 EST
To: farber () central cis upenn edu
From: Richard Fritzson <fritzson () susq com>




In a reply to a CNET columnist, John Ludwig, vice president of Microsoft's
Personal Systems Division, wrote:


"I wanted to respond to your recent column about leadership in the Internet.
I think you unfairly characterize both Microsoft's and Netscape's role. You
assert that Microsoft is a follower in the Internet space. The explosion of
Internet applications over the last year is entirely due to Microsoft's
leadership, however. The establishment of a common API for accessing the
Internet, Windows Sockets, is directly responsible for the current explosion
of apps. This API created the platform for ISVs to target; it is why we have
hundreds of Windows Internet apps today. Microsoft, Intel, and the various
TCP/IP vendors led this effort long ago, before Netscape even existed or was
a gleam in anyone's eye. 




... he goes on for several paragraphs and concludes with ...


"Navigator is certainly a fine app, and it is fun to see such innovation
happening on the Windows platform. We look forward to more experimentation
and innovation and hope that Netscape continues to focus its energies on
Windows."  


Cnet columns are copyrighted. You can read the whole thing at: 


        http://www.cnet.com/Central/Columns/Barr/