X-no-Archive:yes
The deal had been rumored about for a little while.  Joe points out that MS
is crying foul.  However, I believe MS, in private, is quite happy about
this deal.  It shows the DOJ and the rest of the world, that they do not
really have a monopoly in browsers and that other companies can do things
and counter MS quite nicely if they put their minds to it.

In the same vein, Linux, which of late has been expanding rapidly, is
probably making MS very happy, again in private.  It is demonstrating to
the DOJ et al, that MS does not have a monopoly on the desktop either.  (I
wouldn't be surprised to one day learn that MS was helping the Linux push
in secret.)

My only question is, since Netscape was going to give away the source code
for Netscape Navigator, are AOL and SUN going to follow through on that
promise?

Kind regards,

Denys. . .

Denys Beauchemin
HICOMP America, Inc.
(800) 323-8863  (281) 288-7438         Fax: (281) 355-6879
denys at hicomp.com                             www.hicomp.com


-----Original Message-----
From:   Joe Geiser [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:   Monday, 23 November, 1998 10:19 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: More on-topic than off: AOL is likely going to buy Netscape

Patrick after Wirt,

> Wirt writ:
> >
> > The Associated Press is reporting the following this evening:
> >
> > =======================================
> >
> > WASHINGTON (Nov. 22) - In a stunning alliance that could
> change the landscape
> > of the nation's technology industry, America Online is in
> talks to buy
> > Netscape Communications Corp., a person close to the
> situation said Sunday.
>
> As usual, Wirt, you're ahead of the curve. :-) The proposed
> deal is all over the news this morning.

This deal seems to be a split, with AOL getting Netscape's portal site
(which they've wanted for awhile), and Sun getting the server business
(which means that Netscape's server business, including FastTrack, would
come from Sun)...

Methinks that the current Microsoft situation makes for some strange
bedfellows.  Of course, Microsoft says that this current arrangement is
exactly what DOJ is attempting to stop MS from also getting into, so they
are crying foul over the entire thing.

I guess all we can say is, "film at 11" (or watch for your CNet Digital
Dispatch ;)

Cheers,
Joe