roundtable: RH Ralph Nader on WINDOWS 95 Problems INTERNET 8K

roundtable: RH Ralph Nader on WINDOWS 95 Problems INTERNET 8K

RH Ralph Nader on WINDOWS 95 Problems INTERNET 8K

hn0186@handsnet.org
Tue, 1 Aug 95 17:41:21 GMT 

Date: Tue, 1 Aug 95 17:41:21 GMT
From: hn0186@handsnet.org
Message-Id: <9508011741.AA20053@sword.connectinc.com>
Subject: RH Ralph Nader on WINDOWS 95 Problems INTERNET 8K 
To: roundtable@cni.org


I usually don't respond to this list, as I feel that I am not up to 
speed on the subject of electronic communication, unlike many others 
who are on this lis.  But I do wish to point out that if WINDOWS 95 
is as onerous as it sounds, shouldn't we let the consumer decide 
whether she or he will continue with this product, instead of getting 
the government to intrude in on the market in the way Nader hopes?  

Think about: how many people will put up with that ANNOYING MSN-thing 
that constantly requests users to register with Microsoft's on-line 
system, before the people trash the new system altogether?  This could 
be Microsoft's big mistake --  this so-called "bundling".  Moreover, 
who wants to buy a product that can automatically scan your hard-disk...
this sounds CREEPY!

But does the creepiness or annoyingness of WINDOWS 95 justify government
intervention?  Are we speaking of a market failure here?

In most cases, where there is a **true** market failure, such as the
-failure of the housing industry to provide safe, clean, decent and
affordable housing to the poor, I am all FOR government
intervention/regulation.  But I do not believe this situation involving
Microsoft's WINDOWS 95 is a true market failure --  and hence am not
convinced of the need for government intervention.  After all, the 
people who can afford to buy a computer on which the WINDOWS 95 is 
compatible, I think, are the same people who can afford to exercise 
their choice and buy another operating system.  

The bottom line is that it's in Microsoft's interest to listen to what 
the consumer wants and needs --  and it is this that'll, in this lead 
to better services, not government intrusion.

Now, now...please don't get huffy and puffy...because I am open to 
being *educated* on this subject, of WINDOWS 95, Microsoft's market 
share, the deleterious consequences of no government action, etc., etc.


T O N Y
Planner
National Economic Development and Law Center
Oakland, CA
internet: HN0186@handsnet.org
Handsnet: HN0186


Sent: August 1, 1995	10:32 am PDT	Item: R00BWt6

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