Europe needs a lesson, and Bill Gates is the the guy to do it.

[E. Blackadder]

Wonderful, the EU is going to fine Microsoft $5,000,000 a day (why not euros, one wonders) for not crippling windows (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050530/bs_nm/tech_microsoft_eu_dc;_ylt=Angti2sy13N2N79Z7o1FyTOs 0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2amdibDI5BHNlYwNicw--) sufficiently. This is after the EU fined Microsoft in excess of $600,000,000 in March. (from your pockets to the Eurotwits). :shake:

It's time for Microsoft to figure out whether it needs Europe more than Europe needs Microsoft. Revoke their licenses, disable their computers -- bring on the second dark ages!

[fallout]

That would be sweet. Refuse to do business in the EU or with EU companies.

That would be very sweet.

[Pseudolus]

Nice idea, but they'd just legalize piracy (of M$) and Bill wouldn't get cent-one.

[The Drunken Actuary]

Shouldn't you be getting some sleep while you have chance?

Anyway, I like Bill Gates. I like Microsoft. I haven't read the article and don't intend to. I really have nothing to add. Just surprised to see Psudolus here at this hour. Though, I suspect he is keeping some unusual hours lately. Don't worry, it all get's better. Eventually they start climbing out of the crib, talking back to you, telling you they hate you and you're mean, weird, and stupid. Oh, I know you think "not my kid" because that's what I thought to. Good luck!

[glenn]

Nice idea, but they'd just legalize piracy (of M$) and Bill wouldn't get cent-one.
What'd happen is that companies would look for legal alternatives. And there are only two viable alternatives to MS right now. And one is free and runs on their current computer hardware.

There'd be a move to one of the current linux distros if Gates left the EU. Not too long afterwards people would realize they can easily transition to Linux and save money, and Gate's would be cooked on his big cashcows.

Not that that would make a difference to MS. Gates has finally figured out the internet and is coming in strong into Google's moneymaking turf - and is likely to succeed.

[E. Blackadder]

We'll see. Google will be a distraction for MS for years to come.

I was thinking that M$ must have a built-in country-specific OS virus by now. I don't hate Europeans, but I'm not impressed with the incompetent / corrupt Brussels bureaucrats.

[Pseudolus]

There'd be a move to one of the current linux distros if Gates left the EU. Not too long afterwards people would realize they can easily transition to Linux and save money, and Gate's would be cooked on his big cashcows.Despite all the predictions, I still have yet to see anyone who wasn't a couple std devs to the geeky side of the bell curve use Linux. Until I do, I will remain quite skeptical that Windows - as a mass-market consumer app - has anything to fear from that quarter.

[Jack]

Despite all the predictions, I still have yet to see anyone who wasn't a couple std devs to the geeky side of the bell curve use Linux. Until I do, I will remain quite skeptical that Windows - as a mass-market consumer app - has anything to fear from that quarter.
If all of Europe abandons the Dark Lord I'd guess tons of user friendly Linux applications would pop up pretty quickly.

[Pseudolus]

Since your premise is false, your conditional is correct.

[Jack]

Since your premise is false, your conditional is correct.
I qualified it with an IF. I do think it's unlikely in the short-term.

[MountainHawk]

I qualified it with an IF. I do think it's unlikely in the short-term.

Hence the terms 'premise' and 'conditional'. Not much for logic, are you?


On topic, I agree with the original thought. You don't like our product, fine. All licenses cancelled. No MS product is available for use inside the EU.

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

Microsoft would/should bend over and take it. Even if they make $0 in Europe, it is worth it to operate there to protect their monopoly, and deny an opportunity for a competitor to become a significant threat.

If Darth Gates is interested in retaliating, he should use the US gummint to do it. Have them fabricate an antitrust violation of some European companies, and force them to either abandon the US or operate in the US for $0.

What products do the Europeans dominate, other than bureaucracy?

(I now have this image stuck in my head of George Bush looking at a holoprojector communicator a la Star Wars showing Bill Gates in hooded cloak....what is thy bidding, my master...)

[MountainHawk]

Unless my math sucks, that $1.825 Billion a year in fines. That's an awful lot of just taking it.

[The Diabolical Biz Markie]

Unless my math sucks, that $1.825 Billion a year in fines. That's an awful lot of just taking it.

Look at it this way.

If someone offered you Microsoft's monopoly, would you pay 1.8 B a year for it?

Sure you would. So would anyone.

And if it gets too onerous, the US will just start a trade war with Europe.

[MountainHawk]

I guess it depends on how much the monopoly was worth in that market. If the Euor weenies decided that all software in the EU should be sold for 1 euro, would it still be worth it for MS to suck it up and take the loss?

[Loner]

I'm guessing the WTO will have something to say about this.

[Griffin 4]

Look at it this way.

If someone offered you Microsoft's monopoly, would you pay 1.8 B a year for it?

Sure you would. So would anyone.

And if it gets too onerous, the US will just start a trade war with Europe.That's just for 1 market.

[MountainHawk]

I'm guessing the WTO will have something to say about this.

Probably that the fine isn't large enough. Just another America hating organization that we ought to threaten to leave and let them see how they'd manage a world trade network without the largest economy in the world being a part of it.

[Super Fly]

Microsoft should remove all the offending software as well as other features and sell that new product to the Europeans for the same price. Then, for a nominal fee $5 plus overseas shipping offer them a bundle package that includes things like the media player, a calculator, textpad, internet connection wizard, and recycle bin.

[Lee Mellon]

... I don't hate Europeans, but I'm not impressed with the incompetent / corrupt Brussels bureaucrats.
So what level/ability of corruption does it take to impress you?

[MountainHawk]

LOL ... Windows software: 70 Euros.

If you want the software complied, 10 Euros additional.

If you want the start menu, add 15 Euros.

If you want the 'additional software', such as WMP, calculator, wizards, character map, defrag, etc ... too bad. The EC says you can't have it.