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The DOJ wanted to break Microsoft up into different companies like they did to AT&T. They would have been called the Baby Bills, and one would do Windows all by

The DOJ wanted to break Microsoft up into different companies like they did to AT&T. They would have been called the Baby Bills, and one would do Windows all by itself, and another would do Internet sites and apps, and another games, and another apps, and another developer tools. But that didn't happen and Microsoft got a slap on the wrist instead. Many people migrated to GNU/Linux or Mac because Microsoft had abused their monopoly, some people and companies are stuck with Microsoft because their business needs Windows to run their custom apps.

yuhong 11y ago
I know, and simply breaking up the OS division the traditional way would not solve the problems anyway. That is why I suggested a better idea this time.
- monochromatic 11y ago
  You designed... what?
aaronbrethorst 11y ago
Many people migrated to GNU/Linux or Mac because Microsoft had abused their monopoly, some people and companies are stuck with Microsoft because their business needs Windows to run their custom apps. Citation needed. I migrated to Mac OS X in 2000[1] because it was a Unix-like operating system with a usable UI that worked well on a laptop[2]. Also, there were to be two companies, not five[3]. Of course, I might be biased because I worked for Microsoft for four years in the 00's. So take this for what you will. [1] Yes, the public beta. [2] OK, let's be honest, it worked tolerably. It didn't get good until 10.2'ish. [3] http://money.cnn.com/2000/06/07/technology/microsoft_ruling/ http://money.cnn.com/2000/06/07/technology/microsoft_ruling/
- orionblastar 11y ago
  How can I cite thoughts in people's heads? Their opinions on why they switched? Apple did a series of commercials about switching to Macs and cited the problems in Windows. The FOSS community has been promoting GNU/Linux as an alternative to Windows for a long time now. This is common sense stuff that I shouldn't have to find a news media source on, because the news media doesn't cover that sort of stuff. Most business software is written for Windows, some businesses develop their own custom apps or use Excel and MS-Office. So it isn't easy to migrate from Windows to GNU/Linux for them. I know this from experience as I worked at places like that. It is stuff that the news media won't report on, the business lock-in and when you Google Windows business lock in you get Windows apps for Business results so you can't find anything about the lock-in. But back on topic ReactOS doesn't run the business apps a lot of companies rely on, so it isn't a good alternative to Windows yet for them. ReactOS is for hobbyists right now because it is still in the alpha stage and not ready for Prime Time yet. Edit: Typo
  - yuhong 11y ago
    Yes, it is common sense stuff, but the point is that many switched not because of the famous MS anti-trust rulings as you implied in the original post.
  - aaronbrethorst 11y ago
    How can I cite thoughts in people's heads? Their opinions on why they switched? NPD[1] often does research on consumer technology choices. I would've checked there for starters. [1] https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/home/ https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/home/

yuhong 11y ago

I know, and simply breaking up the OS division the traditional way would not solve the problems anyway. That is why I suggested a better idea this time.

monochromatic 11y ago
You designed... what?

aaronbrethorst 11y ago

Many people migrated to GNU/Linux or Mac because Microsoft had abused their monopoly, some people and companies are stuck with Microsoft because their business needs Windows to run their custom apps. Citation needed. I migrated to Mac OS X in 2000[1] because it was a Unix-like operating system with a usable UI that worked well on a laptop[2]. Also, there were to be two companies, not five[3]. Of course, I might be biased because I worked for Microsoft for four years in the 00's. So take this for what you will. [1] Yes, the public beta. [2] OK, let's be honest, it worked tolerably. It didn't get good until 10.2'ish. [3] http://money.cnn.com/2000/06/07/technology/microsoft_ruling/ http://money.cnn.com/2000/06/07/technology/microsoft_ruling/

orionblastar 11y ago
How can I cite thoughts in people's heads? Their opinions on why they switched? Apple did a series of commercials about switching to Macs and cited the problems in Windows. The FOSS community has been promoting GNU/Linux as an alternative to Windows for a long time now. This is common sense stuff that I shouldn't have to find a news media source on, because the news media doesn't cover that sort of stuff. Most business software is written for Windows, some businesses develop their own custom apps or use Excel and MS-Office. So it isn't easy to migrate from Windows to GNU/Linux for them. I know this from experience as I worked at places like that. It is stuff that the news media won't report on, the business lock-in and when you Google Windows business lock in you get Windows apps for Business results so you can't find anything about the lock-in. But back on topic ReactOS doesn't run the business apps a lot of companies rely on, so it isn't a good alternative to Windows yet for them. ReactOS is for hobbyists right now because it is still in the alpha stage and not ready for Prime Time yet. Edit: Typo
- yuhong 11y ago
  Yes, it is common sense stuff, but the point is that many switched not because of the famous MS anti-trust rulings as you implied in the original post.
- aaronbrethorst 11y ago
  How can I cite thoughts in people's heads? Their opinions on why they switched? NPD[1] often does research on consumer technology choices. I would've checked there for starters. [1] https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/home/ https://www.npd.com/wps/portal/npd/us/home/