Many updates cause profitable confusion

Article Abstract:

The fast pace of obsolescence in the computer industry creates problems for consumers seeking to purchase the best products available for the price. These problems are exacerbated when companies marketing their products make the decision not publicize their improvements in order to maintain sales levels for older products. Intel introduced its first 300-megaherz Celeron chip as a budget alternative to the Pentium II. The original Celerons lacked cache, which made them so slow that many PC providers would not build systems around them. The new Celeron 300A-megaherz has cache but the change has not been publicized. Apple Computer has made a number of improvements to the new iMac computer without increasing the price. The boxes for old and new models are identical except for one letter in the model number. Microsoft has made a number of upgrades to its Windows 98 operating system, but the systems being distributed in stores are still the original versions. The only way to get the upgrades is to go online or write the company. Symantec has released a new version of its Norton Utilities software package containing an additional utility called Cleansweep but the version number for the software has not changed. Both are offered for sale at the same price and would probably be stocked on the same shelf. The prevalence of such practices means the consumer must exercise extra caution when making purchases.

Semiconductors and related devices, Semiconductor Devices, Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing, Electronic computers, Computers, Electronic Computer Manufacturing, Social aspects, Semiconductor industry, Computer industry, Product information, Column, Product obsolescence, Obsolescence

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Microsoft winner in appeal to keep software intact; ruling affects access to Internet and undercuts new U.S. suit

Article Abstract:

On Jun 23, 1998, a Federal appeals court overturned a lower court's ruling that concerns the way Microsoft markets its Web browser software. The ruling is a victory for Microsoft in its defense against the Justice Department's antitrust action. In 1997, District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issued an order requiring Microsoft to separate its operating system software from its browser software. The Justice Department had argued that Microsoft was taking unfair advantage of its dominance in operating system software to extend its influence into the browser market. The appeals court ruling says Judge Jackson 'erred procedurally' by issuing a preliminary injunction without letting Microsoft present its case, and 'substantively' by misinterpreting the intent of antitrust law.

Company legal issue, Cases, Microsoft Corp., Antitrust law, United States. Department of Justice, MSFT, Antitrust Issue

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