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Talk of the Town
By Jacqi Bowe
Q. How do you think a Microsoft break-up will affect the market? Follow up: If you had been judge, how would you have ruled?
(asked at the PruneYard)
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Earl Rice
minister
I don't think it's going to have as big an effect as people think. It'll open up opportunities for other operating systems. I don't think it will have a horrible impact on the market or the consumer will get battered . It's the way the capitalistic system works. It will do away with some predatory practices. Baby Bills? It should be broken up. Or an extremely heavy fine should be imposed.
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Dr. Gretchen Graef
research scientist
Microsoft has been a leader in the market and I would guess that we will see changes in ways we can't even measure at this time. [A breakup] is the right step as far as I can see. Your Decision? I definitely would have ruled that it was a monopoly and needed to be broken into more than one company. That is what the anti-trust law was written for--to prevent one company from totally monopolizing a whole area of endeavor.
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Michael Ford
customer service agent
It's going to give opportunities to other companies to compete more effectively in the browser market. Definitely in the operating systems market, which obviously Microsoft dominates. I think the break-up will allow other companies to introduce new products as good as, if not better than Microsoft's. I don't have the fears that some people have that this is going to ruin the industry. Verdict? I want it broken up three ways.
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Wayne Forrester
coffeehouse employee
I have to say in the long run people are going to prosper, but I think as [the company] starts getting older then it'll probably wear down. Your Honor? I'm not exactly sure.
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Campbell, California
