in the entire world. This is a remarkable feat considering the vast market of computers and the incredible diversity of languages used throughout the world. I could even be radical and abandon the Windows operating system and switch my IBM computer over to an Apple Macintosh, but alas, even there, Microsoft has already encroached upon its only remaining rival. Having already written software programs for the Macintosh, Microsoft has tightened its noose further around its competition by investing heavily into a troubled Apple Computer company. This almost ensures that Microsoft will gain a strong foothold in the last of its major competitors. When this news of Microsoft’s investment into Apple Computers was announced at an Apple Computer user convention, the audience met the news with boos and outbursts of dismay. These protesters may share a common view that Microsoft is a threat to diversity and competition in the computer industry. In looking at the Microsoft corporation I am reminded of a cybernetic nemesis in the science fiction series “Star Trek: The Next Generation”. This foe of all sentient life was named “The Borg”, and in first encountering a new species which it almost always assimilates into its “collective” they say, “We are the Borg. Surrender to us. Resistance is futile!” A parody of this statement I have seen on the Internet to persuade people to join the small resistance group of Apple Macintosh users against Microsoft and IBM desktop type computers is “Resistance is fruitful, use a Macintosh!”Capitalism and a market economy stress that competition is good for business and consumers. The proponents of monopolies stress that monopolies are efficient and provide the best use of resources instead of wasting them on competition. These same reasons were espoused by the “Rober Barrons” of the past who were seen as evils of their time. Up...
