[plug] [OT] more self-inflicted nails in MS's coffin?

[Denis Brown]

Apols for OT but thought you might be interested in another view of the 
"corporate mind" of MS.  Topic is the closure of RealNames.  Came by way of 
a Perl list.  Visit www.teare.com and here is an extract from the company's 
closure statement.  At the foot of the page ref'd above, there are links to 
some interesting documents, too, especially scribe's notes showing MS at 
work.  Talk about arguing with a 1,000lb gorilla!

Microsoft Decision Triggers RealNames Closure

    Following Three Consecutive Quarters of Revenue Growth and Dramatic 
Growth in
    Keyword Usage, Microsoft Decides Not to Renew Keyword Contract

    Effective May 13, 2002, RealNames Corporation ceased normal business 
operations.
    Eighty-three employees have been terminated as the company begins an 
orderly wind
    down. During the wind down process, RealNames will be liquidating its 
assets and making
    every effort to maximize their value for the benefit of its creditors 
and shareholders.

    RealNames' Keywords work in the Microsoft Internet Explorer browser 
pursuant to an
    agreement the two companies reached in March 2000. Microsoft has chosen 
not to renew
    its distribution contract, which ends on June 30, 2002, with RealNames. 
On June 30th, the
    Keyword service will no longer be available.

Cheers,
Denis