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On Wed, 17 May 1995 JohnAtl@aol.com wrote:

> My quick thoughts on NBC's new alliance...
> 
> a) Why jump ship to another online service?
> --which leads to--
> b) If you make a change, why not go to the Web?
> 
> We have been through this either-or argument again and again--I am not
> looking to rekindle the flames. I do see the benefits of both choices, BUT
> the recent steps by all online services to open Web access seems to negate
> the value of simply jumping from one service to another.


> Also, restricting their "coolest" offerings to MSN (see NYT quote below) is
> *not* going to entice folks to quit the Web in favor of MSN. With the
> benefits of the "closed" services (secure transactions, first and foremost)
> spreading to the Web at large (at whatever pace), I see NBC possible limiting
> its future exposure.

Unfortunately, although MSN uses Internet Infrastructure as the 
transmission layer, MSN also uses Lan Manager (extended) as the session 
layer.  The result of this is:

	Only Windows95 machines will be able to access MSN servers.
	Only WindowsNT machines will be usable as MSN servers.
	Microsoft gets a "Free Ride" at the cost of Unix, Government, and 
		Business users of the internet.
	Tightly coupled OLE2 linkages will be unmonitorable by Unix SA's,
		and will result in a "Microsoft Only" subnet at the expense 
		of everyone else.
	Servers wishing to use MSN technology will ultimately end up paying 
		80% of their revenue to Microsoft.
	Microsoft will selectively "kill" competitor products until it has a
		monopoly of the internet.

Bill Gates has openly stated that he wants to rule the world.  
Establishing a monopoly control over the Internet in the same way he has 
established monopoly control over PC operating systems, applications, and 
hardware (try getting a new PC that DOESN'T come with a full suite of 
Microsoft Applications), would actually give him almost that much power.

> FROM THE NYT ARTICLE (5/17):
> the "coolest" features of NBC's on-line offering."

> Next comment, please. '-)

I wonder what ABC, FOX, and CBS are going to be doing now that they are 
"out" of the MSN game (Microsoft rarely takes on multiple "partners").

> Cheers,
> 
> John Roberts

	Rex Ballard
	Standard & Poor's/McGraw-Hill
	Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect
	the Management of the McGraw-Hill Companies.




From rballard@cnj.digex.net Mon May 22 20:38:11 1995