3 ms·

His agreement with Hachette, which, as he has explained, he believes to be an agreement in his best interest. Seriously, has it been so long since Microsoft th

by moomin 12y ago

His agreement with Hachette, which, as he has explained, he believes to be an agreement in his best interest. Seriously, has it been so long since Microsoft that people can't recognise straight up abuse of market position anymore?

rwmj 12y ago
At one time you could practically not buy a computer without buying a Microsoft license. It's not as if you can't get internet without being forced to buy everything through Amazon. Anyone can still set up a website.
- yardie 12y ago
  You could always buy a computer without a Microsoft license. What you could not buy was a computer minus the price of that license (small independent shops excluded). You can sell your books through Amazon. But you can't sell your books anywhere else cheaper than Amazon.
  - WalterBright 12y ago
    You can sell your books through your own web site and set your own prices. The internet is the great democratizer of commerce.
    - moomin 12y ago
      I think you misunderstand what's involved in selling a book. A website that takes orders isn't enough, you've got to actually stock and deliver them. This is what Amazon is developing a stranglehold on.
      - WalterBright 12y ago
        I've published and sold books in the past. I know what is involved in it. It is not that hard, nor is it that expensive. Most print shops will do the printing & binding for you, you can get mailers from Uline, and mail with the USPS. It's hard to see how Amazon could stop or even inhibit any of that.
- WalterBright 12y ago
  Ironically, you could buy a computer without a Microsoft license from Amazon with one click! (And I have.) (And you still can.)
yardie 12y ago
Yes, it has been that long. Seriously, most 19-20 year olds would have been toddlers (4yo) when the trial started. Even then almost everyone agreed that Internet Explorer was the best browser and the price was right, free.
- davidgerard 12y ago
  (hand up) Was there. It was actually less sucky at the time, because Netscape 4 was an unbelievably unstable piece of shit. Microsoft pulled every shitty monopoly trick going, but Netscape did also in fact drop the ball, good and hard.
  - yuhong 12y ago
    Yea, the cancellation of "Mariner" was unfortunate.

by moomin 12y ago

rwmj 12y ago

At one time you could practically not buy a computer without buying a Microsoft license. It's not as if you can't get internet without being forced to buy everything through Amazon. Anyone can still set up a website.

yardie 12y ago
You could always buy a computer without a Microsoft license. What you could not buy was a computer minus the price of that license (small independent shops excluded). You can sell your books through Amazon. But you can't sell your books anywhere else cheaper than Amazon.
- WalterBright 12y ago
  You can sell your books through your own web site and set your own prices. The internet is the great democratizer of commerce.
  - moomin 12y ago
    I think you misunderstand what's involved in selling a book. A website that takes orders isn't enough, you've got to actually stock and deliver them. This is what Amazon is developing a stranglehold on.
    - WalterBright 12y ago
      I've published and sold books in the past. I know what is involved in it. It is not that hard, nor is it that expensive. Most print shops will do the printing & binding for you, you can get mailers from Uline, and mail with the USPS. It's hard to see how Amazon could stop or even inhibit any of that.
WalterBright 12y ago
Ironically, you could buy a computer without a Microsoft license from Amazon with one click! (And I have.) (And you still can.)

yardie 12y ago

Yes, it has been that long. Seriously, most 19-20 year olds would have been toddlers (4yo) when the trial started. Even then almost everyone agreed that Internet Explorer was the best browser and the price was right, free.

davidgerard 12y ago
(hand up) Was there. It was actually less sucky at the time, because Netscape 4 was an unbelievably unstable piece of shit. Microsoft pulled every shitty monopoly trick going, but Netscape did also in fact drop the ball, good and hard.
- yuhong 12y ago
  Yea, the cancellation of "Mariner" was unfortunate.