TO BUNDLE OR NOT TO BUNDLE? THAT IS THE MICROSOFT QUESTION

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

selected from edupage:


TO BUNDLE OR NOT TO BUNDLE? THAT IS THE MICROSOFT QUESTION
One of the fears Microsoft rivals have is that Microsoft will build
directly into the Windows operating system various applications software
packages (such as encryption for financial processing over the Internet),
because customers would be reluctant to pay for products that do
more-or-less the same thing as an installed product that they get "for
free." Although it's unlikely that the government would consider breaking
Microsoft up into separate companies, it is conceivable that it could force
Microsoft to limit what it includes with its operating systems. (The
Economist 1/28-2/3/95 p.61)


MCI CALLS INTERNET THE "NEXT COMMERCIAL FRONTIER"
MCI chairman Bert Roberts says: "Think about it. You can have access to
millions of customers. Products and services can be sold 24 hours a day.
And since transactions are handled electronically, sales and distribution
can be done much more cost-effectively." (Atlanta Journal-Constitution
2/3/95 E3)


POLITICAL NONCOMMUNICATION VIA INTERNET
New York Times political writer Maureen Dowd finds that the Gore/Gingrich
love affair with the Internet doesn't mean that either of them actually
read or answer their e-mail.  Her message to Speaker Gingrich was never
answered, and her message to Vice President Gore got only "a robot
response" saying: "Dear Friend ... Although the volume of mail prevents the
Vice President from personally reviewing each message, be assured that your
concerns, ideas and suggestions have been read carefully, and a detailed
report of the mail is provided to the Vice President on a regular basis."
(New York Times Magazine 2/5/95 p.26)