Naam bade aur darshan chote!!!!

October 28th, 2007

Every one of us is well aware of and is a consumer of Microsoft. We use MS Office, windows, internet explorer and Media player from this company. But here is the realty behind it.

“Schools should not sign software licensing deals with Microsoft because of the computer giant's alleged anti-competitive practices.”
- British Educational and Technological Agency (BECTA)
The BECTA has complained to the Office of Fair Trading, saying talks have not resolved its "fundamental concerns" about academic licensing of the company's Windows Office 2007 and Vista operating systems.
Thousands of schools already use Microsoft software but BECTA claims that new licensing arrangements are too restrictive.

Microsoft insists that schools pay for a licence for every PC on the premises which might use its software, regardless of whether teachers plan to do so at the time of signing a contract. Whereas, generally the school edition is always comprehensive of all the PCs and there is no recurring cost after initial outlay.

Previously

The European Commission's decision is to fine Microsoft a record £343m for using the dominance of its Windows operating system to stifle the progress of its competitors. After a nine-year legal battle, the US computer giant may now have to concede defeat and comply fully with the demands from Brussels.

The commission found the software company guilty of using its strength to gain an unfair advantage over its competitors in two ways.

1 It was found to be using its dominant Windows operating system to force its software packages such as Media Player on to PC users, stifling the progress of competing products, such as RealNetworks' RealPlayer or Apple's QuickTime player.

2 The commission concluded that Microsoft was not providing rivals with the information necessary for them to develop software compatible with its Windows operating systems.

It was later criticised for charging its rivals too much for the information. Microsoft also racked up a fine of £195m last year for ignoring this EU's 2004 judgment.

Naam bade aur darshan chote.

Regards
Tushar