RE Dude,

1st -=- This whole CSS thing can be summed up into two issues, both of which, M$ has not been able to do, and even before that, "Big Blue" couldn't do it either.

First -=- Big Blue tried to release a BIOS chip that had BASIC on the chip, and any true-blue machine had to have this chip to run IBM's Basic. It failed. Phoenix Technologies released a version of Basic that ran on ANY chip. Thus began the heralding of the "IBM Clone's".

Second -=- M$ has tried, as hard as they might, to twart any attempts of getting at the monolopy they already have in the OS, Development, Internet Browser, Memory Manager, Compression Agent, Mice, Keyboards, and Office Software. To no avail, I might add. Netscape is still around, people develope with other products than just VB/VC/VC++, etc..., and Knoppix/Linux/Unix/Debian are examples of anti-monopoly OS's on the market, and I am sure Logitech is laughing all the way to the bank on the monopoly idea of Keyboards and Mice.

I would say that if M$ and Phoenix get in bed together on a "specialized" chip, someone will take advantage of making something that allows a good share of the machines that don't follow them to run fine and dandy. In fact, this whole technology may end up like the IBM/Apple get-together OS. Haven't heard anything about that one for years now. I think it was going to be called "Pink" or something.

M$ has tried to "swallow" anything that attacks it, or has the ability to over-take its share of a specific market - and they seem to fail on the attempt. M$ used to be "something" to be feared, like "OMG! MS is coming!" It has become so lack-luster now. MS may have lots of money, and have good shares in lots of markets, but they fail to see the "Big Picture."

Which is, as long as their is a will, their is a way. Someone will always see a "better" way to do something. As in the case of IBM, M$, Knoppix, Linux, Unix, Debian, AppleOS, etc... The market is getting flooded now with tons of options, and people have a "choice". Many follow blindly, like: "The Jones' have a new computer with M$ Win[fill in the version], we have to get one like them." -=- But, though a select few, or these many, care to get enlightened on the subject, and make choices on the findings.

I think Knoppix, Linux, Unix, and Debian will be around for many years. Even if this "combined forces alliance" comes true. If an amount of people are still using K/L/U/D OS' at the time of this CSS coming into reality, I am sure someone will make a way for that mass to still function as if the CSS didn't exist. IMHO

My thoughts,
Cuddles