Computers/Internet What Is Particularly Interesting

Computers/Internet

What is particularly interesting about the Microsoft Monopoly trial is the fact that much was said about Microsoft's alleged attempt to completely monopolize a market that should be open to competitors as well. However, Microsoft's supporters hold that the trial has been unfair to the company's right to compete to the best of its ability. It is precisely this ability to compete that brought the company to the witness chair to defend its position. Another interesting aspect of the trial is to examine the statements of the various stakeholders. When examined closely, these statements are often revealing with regard to the views that computer business moguls hold regarding the roles and definitions of computer applications, as opposed to those held by the general public. Indeed, trials such as the one examined here become so public that some influence on the public view must be assumed. In particular, some statements by Bill Gates in the transcripts of his video depositions are examined as they relate to popular views of the public relating to the same issues. It is important to keep in mind that these statements and definitions might be viewed from a variety of positions, as such acquiring a different meaning depending upon the speaker/hearer.

A document released by the Microsoft Company reads, "Our industry is always looking for the next 'Killer Application' - for a category of software that, by its utility and intelligent design, becomes indispensable to millions of people...." "The latest confirmed 'Killer App' is the web browser." When asked what Bill Gates himself meant by defining a web browser as a "Killer Application," he claims to have meant that browsing would be simply "very popular." Upon this response, The Microsoft Computer Dictionary is used to provide two definitions of the term "Killer App": 1) An application of such popularity and widespread standardization that it fuels sales of the hardware platform or operating system for which it was writing (in this case Windows); and 2) An application that supplants its competition. The latter is something that Microsoft's browser has certainly managed to do.

In the light of the written documents, it is clear that Bill Gates is being somewhat evasive in his statement, as he has reportedly been throughout the trial. He appears not to reveal the true level of competition that he has envisioned with his Windows and web browser products. However, this paradigm is abundantly clear from all written evidence submitted to the court. The Microsoft Web Browser is admitted to be a Killer Application. Microsoft admits a Killer Application to be one that is focused specifically upon 1) user utility and 2) eradicating competition. What is interesting here is the apparent discrepancy between Gates's statement and the written evidence. Gates, as mentioned above, admits user utility, but not the competitive paradigm.

The competitive paradigm, as stated by Microsoft supporters, is part and parcel of the business world, especially for giants such as the Microsoft Corporation. Indeed, from a business point-of-view, it is essential to be competitive in an industry such as computer applications. Microsoft's business paradigm of "looking for the next Killer Application" is therefore quite logical from this perspective.

From a general public perspective, the computer user tends to focus less upon competition than user utility. As a general user, for example, I would therefore not use the term "Killer Application" to define Microsoft's Web browser. Instead, the way in which my friends and I view such a browser is an extremely useful tool to find as much information as possible in as short a time as possible. The focus is upon utility and end result.

In terms of competition, I would use the browser that offers the best results in the shortest time. I would also use the one that is easiest and fastest to download. I would therefore not invest in an application that is inferior to one already offered as part of a wider application such as windows, or that would prove more difficult and time consuming to download. When compared to all other similar application, Microsoft's browser is superior primarily due to its ease of use and secondarily as a result of its usability in terms of related applications. Microsoft Internet Explorer is by far the easiest to use, because it is part of the Microsoft Windows application, which is the most widely used application on current computers.

In general, the main difference between business-driven and user-driven views regarding the definitions of the web browser basically one of focus. From Microsoft's point-of-view, the web browser is an application that is useful to literally every computer and Internet user. As such, it can be innovatively used to gain a competitive edge in the computer market.

Apart from the business and public views, there is also the view of the opposition. According to the opposition to Microsoft's stance, the company has monopolized a market that should be open to all who wish to enter it. However, the larger business context of the issue should also be kept in mind. Microsoft, as asserted by both the company and its supporters, have innovated their products within the protocol of business paradigms. Other companies are free to offer their products in this highly competitive environment. However, in my view as user, Microsoft's browser product is far superior and I will use this for as long as it is legally available.