And for the computer industry. And for consumers. Another six months of that trend won't be healthy for Microsoft either. Microsoft gives lip service to the idea that any competitor might topple it at any time. Linux carves into NT's turf.
Palm dominates in handhelds.
America Online stomps all over Microsoft in instant messaging. But now, every day Microsoft is distracted by the antitrust case is running room for all those competitors, and they know it. They don't have to catch Microsoft - just outrun it. So, good legal strategy or not, Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer should think very, very carefully about whether delays will deliver what Microsoft needs. Between the stock price, the public and technology, dragging this case out may be much more dangerous for Microsoft than just getting it over with.