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Friday, May 30, 2003
Dogs and Cats Living Together... Mass Hysteria!
Make that AOL and Microsoft living together, working to make the digital decade a reality. So says Bill Gates after yesterday's surprise announcement that Microsoft would pay American Online $750 million to settle the anti-trust suit filed against Microsoft for allegedly using illegal tactics to wipe out Netscape, which is now owned by AOL.
So, once again, Microsoft essentially admits wrongdoing and pays off the offended party to settle the matter. Sounds like Mr. Gates got away with another one and paid AOL hush money to leave it at that.
Still, there may actually be good news here. The two parties also said they would begin collaborating on a series of initiatives, such as finally making AOL Instant Messenger and MSN Messenger "talk" to each other. Gates says that this and other efforts will help make the "digital decade a reality."
While I applaud such sentiments, I remain skeptical that either company is truly interested in doing what's best for the consumer. Could it be that they finally understand that a rising tide floats all boats?
Posted by
Cory Kleinschmidt
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