David Colburn Quotations

We were deathly concerned about Microsoft getting into the Internet, ... We were working with Netscape to get some advantage so we could compete on at least close to equal terms.

No, ... But the way I looked at it was that it was a close call with the technology, but it was distribution that put (IE) over the top.

from providing any significant promotion or distribution of Netscape 's Navigator browser.

We have stamped the Netscape issue into the ground. We are not selling Netscape advertising around its browser or otherwise. Let's move on.

You have to remember I work with Case, ... And he says Microsoft may win, which is hardly a ringing endorsement.

Did Case say anywhere that it was a close call?

It was AOL's objective to have both Navigator and Internet Explorer available to its members, allowing them to choose which browser to use, ... Microsoft, on the other hand, attempted to secure exclusive distribution and promotion for Internet Explorer, with no or few exceptions for distribution or promotion of a competitive browser.

No, ... We looked at five factors. The most important was securing relative parity with MSN on desktop distribution.

its market position in operating systems to gain an unfair advantage in the online services business.

Internet Explorer has to be the default browser, ... To the extent that we can promote Netscape within the AOL environment, it has to be in a low-profile area.