*BSD News Article 67852


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From: michael@memra.com (Michael Dillon)
Newsgroups: alt.fan.bill-gates,comp.os.ms-windows.nt.misc,comp.os.ms-windows.win95.misc,comp.os.os2.advocacy,comp.sys.mac.advocacy,alt.org.team-os2,alt.destroy.microsoft,comp.os.linux.advocacy,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc
Subject: Is Microsoft's Internet plan more about its love of power than about users?
Date: 6 May 1996 14:07:59 -0700
Organization: Memra Software Inc. - http://www.memra.com
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The following excerpt is from Infoworld, the best, most balanced computer
industry magazine I know of. Read the whole column at
http://www.infoworld.com/pageone/opinions/rcringe/rcringe.htm

-----begin excerpt------

Is Microsoft's Internet plan more about its love of power than about users?

There's a frightening moment in 1984 when Winston Smith turns to O'Brien,
his torturer, and says, "I understand how, but I don't understand why,"
and O'Brien tells him that power is its own excuse. 

"Imagine a boot crushing a human face forever," O'Brien cheerfully
explains. 

I couldn't help thinking of Winston's querulous incredulity when I was at
Internet World in San Jose, Calif., last week. When it comes to
Microsoft's Internet strategy, I understand how, but I don't understand
why. I understand how Microsoft hopes to use ActiveX to keep developers
slaving over the Win32 APIs and you and me joylessly wedded to Microsoft's
massive platforms. That part's easy. But I no longer know if Microsoft's
resistance to thin clients goes much beyond the desire for things to go on
as they are. Imagine Windows booting up in your face forever. 



-- 
Michael Dillon                                    Voice: +1-604-546-8022
Memra Software Inc.                                 Fax: +1-604-546-3049
http://www.memra.com                             E-mail: michael@memra.com