Re: Versions

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

On Feb 12, 4:46 pm, "Karl E. Peterson" <k...@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Tom Shelton wrote:
On 2008-02-12, Karl E. Peterson <k...@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Tom Shelton wrote:
On 2008-02-12, Karl E. Peterson <k...@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Tom Shelton wrote:
All I can think is that the cost of doing buisness there is much
higher lately.

You haven't provided any shred of reason as to why this might be in the
immediate case.  The marginal cost of their product is precisely *zero*.
Every sale of Vista in the UK represents almost (except packaging) pure
profit.

Ummm... being forced to create, test, and distribute a special version
of windows, which then failed to sell doesn't count as a reason?

I'm here, not there. <g>  My understanding from Mike is, it's the same product.
Do we have evidence it's not?

Well, it is the same base product - windows xp.

Dude.  Look up!

Every sale of Vista in the UK represents almost (except packaging) pure
profit.
                   ^^^^^
Let's try to stay focused here, eh?  ;-)

Ok :)  But regulators are considering more action against MS even now.

As well they should! <g>

This time for the browser - which OS do you think will have to be
modified now?  Vista is still under going regulator scrutiney in the EU,
last I heard.  Don't you think there is a possiblity that they may
require them to remove WMP from Vista as well?

Helliphino.  I suppose, sure.  I think, especially given the apparently widespread
and growing adaptation of Linux and OpenOffice over there, that showing a monopoly
status is going to be harder and harder, though.


Yep.

I think that all of these things are factors that get taken into account
when a product is priced.  Maybe not.  I'm just a developer, what do I
know about product pricing - especially international pricing :)

I'd guess most of us think, "What's the most I can charge for this, that won't drive
folks to look for something else?"  And, if that number doesn't cover our costs, we
start thinking about a different product or line of work.

Clearly, MSFT isn't playing the same game we are.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to justify MS here.  So, if they are
doing something illegal in their pricing, then someone needs to
complain.

Yep!  My sense is, though, that they're not.  It's just too damned obvious.  They're
stupid, but not *that* stupid! <g>

[XP] was modified to meet EU regulators demands.

Yep.  Not unlike translating to another language.  Of course that represents a
cost. Duh.  But it's a *fixed* cost, and really has nothing to do whatsoever
with the *marginal* cost.

And to top it off, sales of XP N were very, very poor.

I'd have just removed it from the market, myself, were I making the decision.

I doubt even MS could afford to pull out of the EU market.

Serious?  When the only way that they can stay there is to dump billions into a
product that they can't sell?  Especially when they knew they had a new product
coming out "shortly"?


This was back in 2005... Vista was still 2 years away, and they
weren't allowed to sell XP without the option. I don't think they had
any choice. As I understand it, they only sold 1,500 copies to OEM's
and no consumer sales.

Those are the costs of breaking the law in the EU.  Unless you're suggesting
that all companies are subject to same?

I agree to some extent... But, it is my understanding that they were charged and
fined for breaking laws that didn't exist when they broke them.  To me that
seems a little backwards

I think you're stretching the definition of the word "laws" here. ;-)

How?  First off, the "laws" that they supposedly broke were passed AFTER
MS "broke" them.

Says you. <g>  Cite?

I could be confused here :) I thought I remember reading way back
when the case was decided, but now I can't find a reference. So, all
I can say is that I guess I was wrong here.

--
Tom Shelton
.

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