Monopoly Power: Another Shoe Drops Microsoft's move, announced last Friday (computergram 4569), to expunge dual-boot capability from OEM versions of Windows XP, is a delayed consequence of the gutted settlement of the DOJ antitrust case. Microsoft had clearly been waiting for this case to close before it imposed new limitations on its OEMs to further extend its monopoly power on the desktop. We can expect Microsoft to trot out other new anti-competitive licensing terms and technology exclusions in the coming months, thanks to the DOJ's politically-driven cave-in to the Microsoft forces. The removal of the dual-boot feature is purportedly an anti-piracy measure, but is clearly targeted more at Linux, FreeBSD, and Solaris Intel users. Dual boot capability has been part of windows since the early 90's, and was a convenient way for Intel systems (particularly laptops) to be more versatile. Dual-boot has been an aid to Unix and Linux users diagnosing hardware configuration or driver problems, and for translating Microsoft Office files info formats usable in Linux via StarOffice or other cross-platform office tools. While sophisticated users will create work-arounds for dual booting, it will make the switch to Linux harder for most users. This is exactly what Microsoft intended. David O. Taber www.D-O-Tnet.com DOTnet Consulting, Inc. direct line: +1-650-326-2626 best times to call: 8 AM or 7 PM PST 555 Bryant Street, Suite 789 Palo Alto, CA 94301 USA page: mailto:5105024055@mobile.att.net mail: mailto:DOT@D-O-Tnet.com ICQ: 138661538 MSN-IM: DOTnet Y! davidotaber AIM: DOTnetConsulting