Re: [tlug] Re: [OT] Say _no_ to the Microsoft Office format as an ISO standard

["Stephen J. Turnbull" <stephen@example.com>]

Josh Glover writes:

 > These are all good points, but didn't the AT&T and NTT monopolies
 > happen *because* of government diddling in the markets (i.e. NTT *was*
 > the government before it got somewhat privatised, right? And AT&T had
 > the full cooperation of the US government when they were establishing
 > their stranglehold).

Yes, but even in the U.S. the local loop is still not privatized, and
even a blue whale would think twice about birthing a Baby Bell, it's
good thing they sprang to life full grown like Athena from Zeus's
head.  There was a reason for *the* telephone monopoly and today's
telephone monopolies, and it's the same reason that we have an
Interstate highway system and the Pony Express.  Telecommunications is
not just another industry; it is possibly the single most important
national interest (that you want to have in use on a daily basis).

 > But I do feel that laws on the books should be enforced or overturned,
 > so it is a shame that there is no real bite to antitrust. Like you
 > sad, big companies pay the fines as a cost of doing business.

But that's what they *should* be doing.  Some businesses *should* be
"On The Edge".  It's a clear analogy to BSD and Linux.  We *need*
instability and adventurism.  I would go so far as to say that this
great country of Japan has all the creativity it can stand, and maybe
more.  What it lacks is enough fearless crazies willing to start a
business and go balls to the wall.

The "Microsoft tax" was a clear violation from day one, an intentional
foul.  But "browser in the OS"?  Worth a try.  Doesn't Linux have
"webserver in the OS"?  Maybe that should be illegal, too?  (Not! but
you do see the analogy I'm drawing, right?)

And antitrust laws do have bite.  Hell, just today I interviewed a
wannabe grad student who proposes introducing secret side payments and
other devices for buyer collusion on Ebay.  Never see that in the U.S.
(He'll pass, though I won't be his adviser. :-)  I do a fair amount of
translation of business plans and similar, and there simply is *no*
consciousness of consumer rights or the harm that monopoly and
producer collusion does to an economy in this country.  The first
thing they discuss is how to join up and collude with the existing
businesses.

Again, if these guys were operating in the U.S., I'd have to say,
"Bite your tongue, Taro!"  Except that their business partners and/or
lawyers would have already taken them out behind the woodshed for a
little "reeducation".  There is a climate in the U.S. that collusion
is unfair and un-American -- "unless it's us doing it" :-).  (A little
healthy hypocrisy never killed anybody. :-)

I wouldn't give antitrust laws the majority of the credit, but they
are a big factor in why (economically) the best place for middle class
folks to consume is in the U.S., and why the U.S. continues to lead
the world in small business and job creation (FUD about how all the
computing jobs are being exported to Bangalore notwithstanding).

 > Intentional fouls was a perfect metaphor, and one that I will be
 > stealing forthwith. ;)

You're welcome to it.  It ain't mine, I'm sure I wasn't born when it
was first uttered.  It's not like spitters were invented yesterday!