UPDATE: Reaction mixed to Microsoft-DOJ settlement
The proposed settlement between Microsoft Corp. and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) drew a mixed response Friday from observers of the antitrust lawsuit filed more than three years ago.
Some observers wonder if the enforcement mechanism has any teeth, while others worry that more regulation will trip up the Redmond, Washington, software giant. The settlement is unlikely to change the opinions of those in IT circles -- companies that like and use Microsoft products say they plan to continue, while those who don't stopped relying on the company's wares a long time ago.
Most customers of Borland Software Corp., based in Scotts Valley, California, who have been approached by Chief Information Architect Mike Rozlog, have been trying for the last year to minimize the risk of being trapped in one software maker's grip, he said. Borland is an application development and management house.
Open platforms like XML (Extensible Markup Language) and other standardized technologies are ways of solving problems without being caught between Windows, Sun Microsystems Inc.'s Java language or the Linux open-source operating system, he said.
The proposed settlement terms wouldn't change his customers behavior in this regard, he said, and he's not sure how it would change Microsoft's behavior either.
"I haven't found the meat of the punishment from being observed," Rozlog said regarding a provision that calls for oversight of Microsoft by an independent panel. "I don't know what the damages are if they do something that's bad
» posted by abennett
IDG News Service
Symantec Backup Exec 12 and Backup Exec System Recovery 8 deliver industry leading Windows data protection and system recovery. Download this whitepaper to find out the top reasons to upgrade and how to get continuous data protection and complete system recovery.
Data and system loss — from a hard drive failure, malicious attack, natural disaster, or simple human error — can happen anytime. Don’t leave your business vulnerable. Make sure you have a secure recovery strategy in place. Symantec's latest backup and system recovery technology can efficiently restore critical applications, individual emails and documents and even restore your entire system in minutes in the event of a loss.
Businesses face a growing challenge to ensure that the IT environment is properly protected. Backup Exec 12 integrates with other applications in the Symantec family of products, to complement your current data protection strategy, keep your data securely backed up and make it recoverable when you need it most.
Crimeware: Understanding New Attacks and Defenses
By Markus Jakobsson, Zulfikar Ramzan
Published Apr 6, 2008 by Addison-Wesley Professional. Part of the Symantec Press series.
Enter now! | Official rules | Sample chapter
Securing VoIP Networks: Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Countermeasures
By Peter Thermos, Ari Takanen
Published Aug 1, 2007 by Addison-Wesley Professional.
Enter now! | Official rules | Sample chapter
