George Pieler from the Institute for Policy Innovation writes an op-ed on CNet re/ Microsoft's new Vista and troubles with the EU. Excerpts:

Europe no doubt wants credit for Microsoft's new operating principles because EC authorities think their fly-swats at Microsoft have revolutionized the technological landscape. Earlier this year, EC Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes told Microsoft that Europe expects Vista to be created "in line with the European competition laws...It would be rather stupid to design something that is not."

So now Europe, not exactly the leader of the pack in today's global economy, wants to take on the task of designing tomorrow's software products. Perhaps the inter-Europe alliance that created the Concorde, the late, lamented, supersonic transport that failed every test of market success, could take on this vital new task.

Europe is a spectator of the software scene (albeit a particularly annoying one), skimming a little money off the top with its antitrust fines while pretending to stand up for European technological might. It's a pleasant bit of theater, but don't confuse it with the real world.

posted by Noel Le @ 12:20 PM | International

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