MICROSOFT SEES JUST ONE VERSION OF WINDOWS 98.Microsoft said today it is sticking with one version of Windows 98, but reports have surfaced that it will offer computer makers a version without the Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. icon - a move aimed at satisfying U.S. Justice Department investigators. Speculation about Microsoft's plans arose from a private company event yesterday and today in San Francisco San Francisco (săn frănsĭs`kō), city (1990 pop. 723,959), coextensive with San Francisco co., W Calif., on the tip of a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and San Francisco Bay, which are connected by the strait known as the Golden for computer makers, retailers and hardware and software vendors. Microsoft is being sued by the Justice Department on grounds that it is unfairly trying to extend its dominance of the operating-system market to the Internet. In response to a preliminary injunction A temporary order made by a court at the request of one party that prevents the other party from pursuing a particular course of conduct until the conclusion of a trial on the merits. A preliminary injunction is regarded as extraordinary relief. issued after a Department of Justice challenge, Microsoft in January agreed to offer computer manufacturers a version of Windows 95 without the browser icon. It has challenged the injunction, however, and will present its case before a federal Court of Appeals on April 21. If the Justice Department objects to Windows 98's integration of the Web browser The program that serves as your front end to the Web on the Internet. In order to view a site, you type its address (URL) into the browser's Location field; for example, www.computerlanguage.com, and the home page of that site is downloaded to you. with the operating system operating system (OS) Software that controls the operation of a computer, directs the input and output of data, keeps track of files, and controls the processing of computer programs. , Microsoft plans to offer a version of the system without its Internet Explorer icon, Rob Enderle Rob Enderle, founder of the Enderle Group, is a consultant, writer, and widely quoted technical and legal analyst in the information technology industry. Microsoft, Advanced Micro Devices, the SCO Group, IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and Dell are (or have been) among his clients. , analyst for the Giga Information Group, said he was told by sources at Microsoft. Microsoft plans to release Windows 98 to computer makers May 15 so it can be installed on personal computers in time for a June 25 release, Enderle added. But Microsoft spokeswoman Stacey Breyfogle called the report speculation and said the company's "message has not changed one bit - we are offering one version only of Windows 98." She declined to say whether a product omitting the icon constituted a second version. However, she said the company would comply with any court order. Enderle said he is aware of no demand for the version of Windows 95 without the icon. If Microsoft decides to offer a similar configuration in Windows 98, Enderle said, "I don't think DOJ (Department Of Justice) The legal arm of the U.S. government that represents the public interest of the United States. It is headed by the Attorney General. has much choice but to support it," given the short amount of time remaining before Microsoft offers the Windows 98 code to computer makers. Justice Department officials would not comment. Enderle said Windows 98 would sell for $85 to $95 in stores and would cost computer makers about $45 - about what both pay today for Windows 95. Breyfogle said Microsoft has not yet set pricing but it would be similar to Windows 95. Microsoft will initiate a big public-relations campaign Noun 1. public-relations campaign - an advertising campaign intended to improve public relations ad blitz, ad campaign, advertising campaign - an organized program of advertisements for Windows 98 with a "Microsoft eXtreme" day April 4, when a live event at Redmond will be broadcast by satellite to 45 theaters around the nation. Paul Andrews' phone message number is 206-464-2360. His e-mail address is: pandrews@seattletimes.com |
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