Microsoft License Changes and More

ByABC News
July 16, 2001, 9:10 AM

July 16 -- Microsoft changes its license, simulating the attack on Pearl Harbor, and a computer that may reach out and touch you. It's all in this week's Cybershake.

License to Change

The U.S. District Court’s verdict last month that Microsoft had indeed maintained monopolistic practices with its Windows operating system software will undoubtedly force some changes with the software company. And Microsoft has already made one significant change — its licensing agreement with PC makers.

Microsoft spokesman Shawn Sanford says, “We’re going to increase the flexibility to let PC manufacturers put icons on the desktop and other applications.” And PC makers will no longer be required to keep various icons for Microsoft software programs — such as Outlook or Internet Explorer — on the Windows XP desktop either.

But Robin Raskin of FamilyPC magazine predicts most PC makers will think twice before making major changes. “Just because they can [add and remove icons], I don’t believe they will,” says Raskin.

And the change may still benefit Microsoft more than others in the industry. “This agreement is not going to make Netscape come steaming back onto your desktop,” says David Coursey at Anchordesk.com. “But it does show that Microsoft is trying to make some concessions to get within the law.”

Also, See: Complete Microsoft Anti-trust Trial Coverage

— Bob Hardt, ABCNEWS

Reliving the Day of Infamy

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which launched the United States’ entry in World War Two. But for game addicts and history buffs, a new software game can bring that day of infamy alive.

“Pearl Harbor: Zero Hour” is a simulation game published by Simon & Schuster Interactive. “A player can actually see a real-time re-enactment of what actually happened at Pearl Harbor during the attack,” says Ed Zobrist, the game’s developer. “We have the correct number of Japanese planes coming in from the right angles, dropping the right number of bombs, hitting the right number of ships.”