RP> If MS could end the contract in such a way, then isn't it likely that
 RP> Compaq was in violation of that contract's provisions, said
 RP> provisions being things Compaq had agreed to abide by?
I believe that was said after the fact, but it wasn't specifically stated in 
the contract.. AFAIK, Microsoft forces all OEMs to sign support agreements in 
order to use their software.  This removes Microsoft's responsibilities of 
end-user support.  If the OEMs are going to be forced to support the product, 
they should at least be able to choose what external utilities will be 
included, Internet Explorer included..
 RP> Whatever one might think of Bill Gates, I've never heard anyone call
 RP> him a dummy when it comes to contracts.  After all, it was the nature
 RP> of the contract he got IBM to sign that made him rich in the first
He's promised the world and produced mostly junk from the beginning.  Sooner 
or later the hype machine will break down, I hope..
 RP> In any event, Gates has competition now that's making life
 RP> increasingly difficult for him.  The JAVA folks are really coming on
 RP> strong, and not simply in products for browsers and the internet, but
 RP> the OS as well, rapidly approaching the point of making Win95
 RP> unnecessary, if they're not there already, and theirs runs on
 RP> multiple platforms.
This I realize and anxiously await.  For those that are really interested in 
JAVA, it is worthy to note that OS/2's release of JAVA v1.1.4 is the fastest 
among all PC platforms.   :>
JB
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