We've read rumors of many suggested ways of settling - or ultimately forcing - Microsoft into various business or restructuring deals to increase competition,  if Microsoft loses the DOJ lawsuit.

The latest rumor is that the State Attorney Generals want MS to license the Windows source code to several other companies, thereby creating a competitive market. The downfall of this, if you think about it, is that this means we end up with 3 or more companies all pushing Windows (or close derivatives) as the platform of choice - and probably at lower costs. This actually acts to further entrench Windows into the marketplace!

A unique alternative: Require that Microsoft commit to shipping MS Office for Linux for at least the next 5 years. Its the same deal MS did with Apple. This would give Linux an enormous and immediate boost in credibility and usefulness, and ensure that there is a competitive market for operating systems, not just clones of the same Windows base. This achieves the DOJ's goal of increased competition for PC operating systems - without further entrenching Windows as the only OS we will ever see. Think about it!