11.15.08
Might Steve Ballmer be Deposed for Collusion After All?
Intel and Microsoft are doing it again
AS background reading for regulars who are new to this, consider:
- The Return of Vista Collusions: Will Ballmer be Deposed Soon?
- What We Can Learn About Novell from Intel-Microsoft-Dell-Hewlett-Packard Collusions
The saga has taken an ugly turn as documents whose exposure they tried to prevent (briefly mentioned here) are getting unsealed for all to see. Here are some initial reports (we will probably return to this later and expand):
1. New court documents reveal internal Microsoft fighting over Vista, Intel
Ultimately, Microsoft changed its mind and lowered the requirements so that PCs with those chipsets received the “Windows Vista Capable” logo — even though they couldn’t run the glossy Aero Glass interface or other signature Windows Vista features.
2. Vista suit links Microsoft, Intel CEOs
What did Intel CEO Paul Otellini say to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer on the phone, and what role did that conversation play in Microsoft’s decision to lower the requirements for the “Windows Vista Capable” sticker?
That’s one of the questions raised by the internal documents unsealed today in the class-action lawsuit over the Vista Capable program.
3. Microsoft downgraded Vista Capable specs to help Intel
NUMEROUS EMAILS exchanged by Microsoft and Intel executives have revealed that the Vole knowingly cut its ‘Vista Capable’ PC specifications to help Intel flog rafts of cheap kit.
The email evidence surfaced in a plaintiffs’ court filing (PDF) that was unsealed Thursday in the continuing ‘Vista Capable’ consumer class action lawsuit.
4. E-mails: Vista specs changed to help Intel
When Microsoft announced it would start the Vista Capable program three months earlier than anticipated, Intel executives, including CEO Paul Otellini, complained to Microsoft because they did not have enough high-end chipsets.
“While I do not want to discuss volume and $$ on email, it is material to our business, and we do not understand Microsoft’s motivation to change the previously agreed upon date,” Intel executive Renee James wrote in an e-mail.
James wrote in another e-mail that Otellini “doesn’t understand why the date changed and we don’t accept it is just ‘labels on boxes.’”
Another filing in the case (read it here) shows that Otellini even called Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to relay his concerns.
It looks as though Intel and Microsoft will have some serious explaining to do in the court of law. This is only getting started and it could prove very costly, maybe more than the XBox fiasco.
Are these the sorts of public figures that a lot people nominate for United States CTO? █
Bill Gates Deposition Transcript
“But this is going to end as all tragedies must, with tears. Steve Ballmer is getting taken for the biggest ride of his life, and one day he’s going to find himself dumped out of the limo by the side of the road wondering what happened.”
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.
Needs Sunlight said,
November 15, 2008 at 8:22 am
“Steve Ballmer is getting taken for the biggest ride of his life, and one day he’s going to find himself dumped out of the limo by the side of the road wondering what happened.”
I would posit that he knows that and that is his purpose - to ride the company down. Gates saw the writing on the wall and bailed, not wishing to ride the collapsing disaster down to the ground. Enter Ballmer. That’s his job. What has been unexpected is how long and drawn out this fiasco has become with SCO/MS/Novell.
If every netbook owner applies for and receives a proper refund, then we might be able to end the MS nightmare…Save 150 $ / € / £ on your notebook or netboot:
http://www.google.com/search?q=windows+refund