Pay Up, (Microsoft)

[Colonâ„¢]

Originally posted by Patroklos
What I really don't understand is why bust Mircosoft at all? The point of busting trusts is that they stifle innovation or deny ubgraded service by driving out competition. But has Microsoft done this? Who cares if they have a monopoly if they are still providing a top quality product?

If we were still running on Win95 I could see their point. As it is what do Europeans think they are missing out on?

The end-goal of EU competition-policy is to guarantee competition for the sake of it, not to obtain the best possible outcome for consumers. It often boils down to the same thing, but probably not in case.

[Cort Haus]

EU monopoly laws are supposed to protect consumers, but only end up assisting other companies at the expense of consumers.

In a move to 'break' Sky's monopoly of televised football they gave part of the coverage to Setanta, so now viewers need to subscribe to two TV companies instead of one to get basically the same amount of games.

[Asher]

Originally posted by dannubis
Or a good and stable operating system?

This already exists and has nothing to do with Windows Media Player.

Maybe if Microsoft focussed on that and not on adding the next functionality thing that is not needed (or wanted) they wouldn't get in this "mess" in the first place.[/quote]
In other words, Microsoft should not add new features to Windows. It's this adding new features nonsense that is anti-consumer, right?

This is what I mean by gross EU stupidity.

Oh, and a message to our American friends, the equator does not run through your arse. Get over it. This thing was not, is not and will never be a big deal over here. *yawn*

If it wasn't a big deal, how come it's a 4 year process and taking up the highest courts time?

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by dannubis
Or a good and stable operating system?

Windows is a perfectly stable operating system so long as you're not an idiot.

[Asher]

Originally posted by dannubis
1) monopolistic (not by their fault but still) means that they "deserved" what they got.

So if a product positions itself over the years as the #1 choice, they deserve being crippled. Consumers benefit this way.

Lord knows if the EU hasn't stepped in, there'd be no competition in the media wars which MS was so clearly DOMINATING.

2) It is not mainstream news over here. It is more like: "huh, so what ?"

This has more to do with Europeans not understanding business and technology (see above comments) than anything else. The more educated part of the world follows this closely. It has huge ramifications for business in Europe: never be too good, or you'll be punished accordingly.

It actually goes back to the heart of a principle concept in Europe: Mediocrity.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Cort Haus
The only people dumber than the EU clowns enforcing this anti-consumer nonsense are people who try to lump in ordinary Europeans with their idiot overlords.

You permitted those idiot overlords, so you deserve what you get.

And judging from your comrade's posts here, I think I'm on the right track of holding all Europeans accountable. The bright Europeans emigrated to the New World a long time ago.

The UK is full of chavs and hooligans, France is full of racists, and the whole of the European Union is government by monstrous anti-consumer idiots.

[Cort Haus]

"comrade"

[dannubis]

Originally posted by Asher

So if a product positions itself over the years as the #1 choice, they deserve being crippled. Consumers benefit this way.

Lord knows if the EU hasn't stepped in, there'd be no competition in the media wars which MS was so clearly DOMINATING.

You sir are clearly an idiot and not worth the time to explain things to again.

BTW, before you start complaining to the mods i suggest you alter your post from above because you managed to throw in a personal insult two times.

[Patroklos]

So what are the Europeans missing out on again?

[BeBMan]

*gets beer and snacks*

[VetLegion]

When EU is done with "Microsoft Corp." it's going to be known as "Microsoft Workers Collective" and programmers are all going to be comrades

[dannubis]

Originally posted by Patroklos
So what are the Europeans missing out on again?

where did i say we missed out on something. I just gave you the reason why the fine was imposed.

[Asher]

Originally posted by dannubis


You sir are clearly an idiot and not worth the time to explain things to again.

BTW, before you start complaining to the mods i suggest you alter your post from above because you managed to throw in a personal insult two times.

If there's one thing that's been made clear with my discussions with Ming, is that only direct personal insults are against the rule.

As such, your comment is bannable, mine is not.

Before you do get banned (since you were warned for your attacks against me just the other day, so this is going to be a banning), I'd like you to explain to me why I'm wrong and you're right. Explain to me why MS developing Windows Media Player is bad for consumers and made Windows unstable...

[Patroklos]

I just gave you the reason why the fine was imposed.

Don't you think that is cutting off your nose despite your face?

[Ming]

Originally posted by dannubis
You sir are clearly an idiot and not worth the time to explain things to again.

Enough with the personal insults! discuss the topic and NOT the posters.

And Asher...

The UK is full of chavs and hooligans, France is full of racists, and the whole of the European Union is government by monstrous anti-consumer idiots.

That's over the line as well... so get off your high horse.

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