On Fri, 29 Jun 2001, Rick Engebretson wrote:

> The Sun StarOffice web site just announced that the Pentagon (Defense 
> Information Systems Agency) just acquired 25,000 StarOffice units. This 
> is a huge boost to IT. StarOffice isn't perfect, but the integration 
> level is outstanding; browser, email, editors, charts, etc., are almost 
> seamless. The Linux Xwindow platform extends the seamless link to 
> everywhere. That is what the Pentagon wants; to be everywhere, seamlessly.   
> 
> Now MS will have to buy the Pentagon to keep a toll IT highway monopoly. 

Yes that is good news, and much needed.  This has been about the worst
week in the history of [the _business_ of] computing.  

On Monday, Compaq sold the Alpha design team to Intel.  <opinion>Couldn't
be so that Intel can kill off a superior architecture and advanced fab
processes with a 10-year lead to push forward their puny IA-64 as if
they'd invented something, now, could it?</opinion> And there was a big
anti-trust suit against them some years ago -- but they say by making
licensing agreements they are not violating the terms of those rulings.  
Hrm.

Yesterday, I understand the Court of Appeals overturned the breakup ruling
against Microsoft.  Not the monopoly judgement.  (Actually it might be
worse personally for Gates if they *don't* make them break up the company
-- Rockefeller flourished after Standard Oil broke up.)  

<Insert hateful statements against business people, mis-managers, laywers,
degenerate capitalism, etc...>


-- 
"To misattribute a quote is unforgivable." --Anonymous