Microsoft has launched its counter-attack on the US court's
decision to split the company into separate application and
operating system divisions.
Cliff SaranAs Computer Weekly went to press, the software giant was
expected to announce its own proposals, believed to include
separating the Internet Explorer Web browser from the operating
system. In the past, Microsoft maintained that the browser was an
integral part of the Windows operating system.
Bill Gates said that the US Department of Justice was hostile
towards Microsoft's efforts to make products work well together. He
suggested that any split in the company would prevent updates to
Windows and Office technologies that could protect against attacks
such as the Love Bug virus.
In another move designed to counter criticism over past
anti-competitive behaviour, Microsoft appointed former Apple
veteran Linda Stone to the newly created post of vice president of
corporate and industry initiatives.
