Antitrust cases illuminate tangled ties atop the PC industry; Microsoft and Compaq: quarrelsome partners or master and servant?
Article Abstract:
The Justice Department has referred to the relationship between the software giant Microsoft Corp. and Compaq Computer in making its antitrust case against Microsoft. In 1994, Compaq made plans to load its own 'software shell' onto their computers within which Windows would reside and which would allow Compaq to promote software it was planning to develop itself at a startup in Silicon Valley. Microsoft regarded this as a threat to its market dominance. Compaq dropped it's shell and closed its software unit when Microsoft tightened its contract requirements after the introduction of Windows '95. When Microsoft threatened to pull its Windows license in 1996, Compaq ended its plans to remove the Internet Explorer MSN icons from the desktops of its machines in a contract deal with America Online. Even so, Compaq vice president John T. Rose, in testifying for the defense, has characterized Compaq's relationship with Microsoft as give-and-take. As the largest supplier of PCs, Compaq is favored with the best price for Windows operating systems. He also testified that far from harming the consumer, Microsoft's dominance has been of benefit in imposing a software standard which permitted the industry to grow faster and driven down prices because of the efficiencies a single standard permits the marketplace.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1999
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From calculator to communications tool; as the role of the computer changes, companies try to keep pace
Article Abstract:
The nature of computers and their software is changing rapidly from providing users with calculators to providing tools of communication. There are a number of different technologies, including the Internet, client/server architecture and work group computing, but they are all trying to enable users to use computers as systems that they can link to a network in order to exchange messages, images and graphics. Companies now rely on desktop client/server systems that allow multiple users to work together on projects using the same software and reviewing the same files on multiple systems. In the home, users are connecting to commercial online information services such as America Online, CompuServe and Prodigy. The recent bid by IBM to acquire Lotus and its workgroup software is indicative of the trend towards computers as tools of communications.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1995
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Apple Computer ousts chief in jolt to troubled company
Article Abstract:
Apple has announced the resignation of Gilbert F. Amelio, the company's chairman and CEO. Amelio was recruited for his turnaround abilities in Feb of 1996. His ousting has left unanswered the question of who will run the company. It is expected the Steven P. Jobs, a company advisor, will assume an even larger role than he currently has in company affairs, but he is not expected to become the company's CEO. It is estimated that 20 million people own Macintosh computers. News of Amelio's resignation caused Apples' stock to fall 6.25 cents to $13.675 a share. According to the terms of Amelio's employment contract he will receive a one time payment equal to his regular salary if he resigns. In addition to the nearly $1 million for his salary, Amelio will also receive an additional $7 million for the remaining three and a half years on his contract.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1997
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