Now, the USA -- warts and all -- has become here something of an example of what rules to use and which ones to lose in making a new society. After all, the essence of democracy really isn't its institutions but, rather, how people treat each other as they interact. The article today kind of fit all this.

Hope things are going well with you. Today is the Hindu New Year on the island of Bali. For a full 24 hours there are no cars driven, cooking done, loud noises, or lights allowed. In the West we start the new year with wild celebrations; for Hindus the year begins with quiet reflection. "Selamat Nyepi" or Happy New Year 1922.

F. S., Jakarta

Gates did not look a bit chastened in the news video clip I saw last night. He's the one responsible for the arrogance and competitive brutality, and he has not changed his spots. Only time will tell whether MSFT will darken our sky again.

With industry developments, the question is probably moot. MSFT seems to be trying to diversify away from software and move into the content business. They have enough money to be an important player no matter what game they choose to play. If at first they don't succeed they have enough money to let them keep trying till they do succeed, just as they did with Windows.

Who knows what the price of MSFT stock will be over the next few months, but I think it a safe bet that 5 years hence it will be even more golden than ever.

Still I get a certain satisfaction out of seeing a bully be punished.

Second, I'm not familiar with your work but based on a scant glance it looks like a full body.

Third, this is not meant to be a flame but your commentary this morning was interesting and I think that you have a poor understanding of Microsoft/Seattle/anti-trust/The Valley and how it all fits together. Ask yourself some simple questions:

1) If Netscape was treated so unfairly how has it been able to distribute 150 million+ browsers?

2) Why does AOL base its browser on Internet Explorer?

3) Talk to some web developers who have solid experience. What browser do they use and why? What do they think of Netscape Navigator/Communicator? How do they feel about Microsoft?

4) Would someone like Jim Clark or Andreesen step back as the head of the most valuable company in the world to focus on "nerdy" programming? How about, "Name another top dog in any company in America that would step back into the trenches." That's why MSFT is the most valuable company in the world. They don't cry or make up excuses when they get beat. They are hardcore and they get back to business.

Netscape knew it had a broken business model and that's why they died 3 years ago. Their browser is a failure and their enterprise servers are a failure. I hear Netscape 6 is supposed to be WAY BETTER than IE. Time will tell.

J. E.

My reply: Thanks for the feedback.

I use IE. It's been better than Netscape for at least 2 years. I agree.

I am on record as opposing the DOJ lawsuit. I think it is unfair. I don't think Microsoft is a true monoply. And as the editorial said, Microsoft didn't do anything its competitors don't do.

What I was trying to get across on NPR's deadline and in 575 words was that MS is paying a price for being a bully for 15 years. (Not just to Nestscape or SUN, by a long shot.) This isn't good law, but it's how karma -- what goes around, comes around -- works.

This is something I am perhaps an expert on -- how to deal with bullies in the marketplace. ("Transcompetition," my last book, was about this.) It's substantially the same dilemma as dealing with Misolevic or Saddam or Hitler -- fighting against people with superior force and the will to use it. People's best chance is often to squeal like stuck pigs, and keep squealing until help arrives. The DOJ event was a classic pig squeal.

While I disagree with the law, I understand the deeper justice that arises from it. Microsoft needs to be chastened for its excesses -- if it isn't, we'll have a raft of aggressive companies that put MS to shame.

I wouldn't count on Netscape 6 making a big comeback. -Mike