Former Netscape head Jim Barksdale, one of the central figures in the Justice Department's 1998 antitrust trial against Microsoft, says he'd rather not use Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser, but he has no choice.
"Even though I have preferred the Netscape Navigator (browser), for good reason I hope, to be my default browser, there are occasions when I go to the Web and I get this Internet Explorer," Barksdale said. "I don't want it on my machine, I really don't. But I can't get rid of it."
His comments, made in a court deposition connected with an effort by nine state attorneys general to impose harsh penalties on Microsoft for hurting consumer choice, were released Thursday after The Associated Press and other groups took legal action to gain access.
One of the states' proposed penalties, vehemently opposed by Microsoft, would force the company to offer a "modular" version of Windows so computer makers and users could remove extra features like the Web browser and instant messaging software.
The states hope that that would give other makers of browsers, messaging programs and other products a chance to gain more market share and provide more options to users.
Barksdale's comments and other Microsoft critics say the company unfairly "commingles" its flagship Windows operating system with other programs to shut out competitors.
News source: CBS MarketWatch
