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Slap on the wrist?

Thu, 06 Sep 2001 18:04:00 +0000

Is history repeating itself? In 1981, an incoming Reagan administration dismissed an antitrust case against IBM that had been in the works for 13 years. On Thursday, the Bush Department of Justice announced that it would not pursue a breakup of Microsoft, and, perhaps more important, was dropping its attempt to prove that Microsoft had illegally "tied" its Web browser to its Windows operating system, thereby giving the company an unfair advantage over competitors.

At first glance, Microsoft's foes could be excused for throwing up their hands in exasperation. In come the Republicans, out goes the antitrust enforcement. After years of testimony, evidence, cross-examination and countless appeals to higher courts, a simple change in administration could be seen as the most significant determination of legal strategy and outcome. An administration that has rapidly established itself as one of the most corporate-friendly in recent memory is backing away from the fight, pledging to end the whole unseemly mess "as quickly as possible."

Smells like crushed teen spirit

Tue, 31 Oct 2000 14:36:00 +0000

In honor of Halloween, Salon Technology brings you our top 10 list of things that really terrify us. Forget ghosts, goblins and ghouls -- in the darkest hours of midnight, far more horrifying specters haunt our dot-com dreams and send chills up and down our spines.

1) George W. Bush becomes president and in an attempt to counter the trumped-up claim that Gore "invented the Internet," decides to destroy his former opponent's evil creation. "That darn thing's filled with subliminable messages about sex," he says, defending the move. "I don't want none of it."

2) The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals shuts down Napster. Napster founder Shawn Fanning falls into a deep depression; then he starts a rock band with Hole lead singer Courtney Love. Their first single -- downloadable for only $4.99 -- is called "Smells Like a Crushed Teen Spirit."

Microsoft by any other name

Mon, 12 Jun 2000 19:14:00 +0000

Billco and Ballco? Micro and Soft? Now that Judge Jackson has decreed that Microsoft should be split asunder, we're sure the folks in Redmond must be wondering not just about whether they'll win on appeal, but what they'll call themselves if they have to divide in two.

According to the New York Times, the halves are being casually referred to as Ops Co. and Apps Co. -- for operating system, and applications -- but we're sure the Microsoftians will do better than that. Already, those in the corporate naming community -- companies like Lexicon, Landor and NameLab, which charge a king's fortune to assemble phonemes into names like "Lucent" and "Agilent" -- are buzzing about who will nab this job. We heard a rumor that this task was assigned last year (mid-trial, no less!) to a San Francisco naming company, but we've never heard the phone slammed down so fast as when we called to ask.

Scoop: Why Bill Gates stepped down

Thu, 13 Jan 2000 11:30:00 +0000

The top 10 reasons Bill Gates stepped down as Microsoft CEO:

10. Figured it was Ballmer's turn to pretend not to understand the Justice Department's questions.

9. The cross-house commute from his bedroom to his home office had become too exhausting.

8. Steve Case doesn't have to be CEO anymore and gets to be the visionary -- why can't I?

7. Got sick of having to deal with random, stupid people all day.

6. Got addicted to day-trading Internet stocks.

5. Time to go back to Harvard and finish his B.A.

Y2K

Wed, 23 Jun 1999 16:00:00 +0000

Recent stories

Disaster perverted! By David Cassel

If you're disappointed that Y2K wasn't ushered in with calamity, take heart: Spoof sites revel in the year 1900. (01/07/00)

Way Too Calm By Fiona Morgan

All systems go as the world welcomes 2000 with a party, not a panic. (01/01/00)

Frequently asked questions to end the millennium By Scott Kirsner

Uncertainty surrounds a bug that could cause computers to confuse the year 2000 with 1900. This FAQ will do nothing to change that. (12/27/99)

What is the Y2K problem?

A glitch in time By Scott Rosenberg

The "millennium bug" isn't just a problem for programmers. Edward Yourdon, Y2K pessimist and author of "Time Bomb 2000," warns it could seriously screw up our economy and our lives.
(03/02/98)

Y2K warriors