“The Linux community was thrilled by U.S. District Judge Thomas
Penfield Jackson’s decision Wednesday to split software monopolist
Microsoft cut in half. But plenty of observers predict there will
be few consequences of the antitrust ruling.” “No matter what
happens, I don’t think it will get broken up,” said Dan Niles, the
high-profile technology analyst now working for Lehman
Brothers.”
“Gil Amelio, former CEO of Apple (AAPL:Nasdaq – news – boards),
also believes Microsoft is unlikely to suffer from the ruling:
“This is like throwing Brer Rabbit into the briar patch. Bill says,
‘No, don’t break us up, don’t break us up,’ meanwhile he’s figured
it out every which way.”
“Those that stand to benefit from a breakup of the company
were more optimistic about the eventual outcome. Vocal Microsoft
critic Jim Barksdale, founder of Netscape and the Barksdale Group,
was especially pleased.“