This examination contains 3 parts.  Each part is weighted equally.  You may submit your answers privately, publicly or not at all.  No examination scores or answers will be released to the public unless done so by the student directly. Take all the time you want.

Part A:

Explain in detail how and why bundling internet technologies with a dominant operating system affects the fairness to and the basic rights of the consumer (corporate and individual), the manufacturer of the product, developers of alternative solutions (such as middleware) and the manufacturers of competing operating systems and/or internet technologies.  Discuss how prices are affected, choices are available to consumers and how consumers can acquire the best technology for their intended use. Discuss who decides which products are purchased and applied to the required tasks. Discuss who decides which tasks are to be performed by the system. Discuss the affect on barriers to entry for both the operating system and internet technology markets. Also discuss how the above bundling affects the ability of highly innovative, possibly superior or simply easier to use technology (present and future) to enter the marketplace, achieve success and deliver benefits to consumers.

Part B:

Explain in detail how and why bundling networking technologies with a dominant operating system affects the fairness to and the basic rights of the consumer (corporate and individual), the manufacturer of the product, developers of alternative solutions (such as middleware)  and the manufacturers of competing operating systems and/or network technologies.  Discuss how prices are affected, choices are available to consumers and how consumers can acquire the best technology for their intended use. Discuss who decides which products are purchased and applied to the required tasks. Discuss who decides which tasks are to be performed by the system. Discuss the affect on barriers to entry for both the operating system and network technology markets. Also discuss how bundling affects the ability of highly innovative, possibly superior or simply easier to use technology (present and future) to enter the marketplace, achieve success and deliver benefits to consumers..

Part C:

Compare and contrast your answers given in parts A and B.  If your answers are similar, please explain why and how they are similar.  If they are different, please explain how and why they are different and what distinguishes them.

Bonus:

Explain how and why antitrust laws (although they are not consumers protection laws) can and should protect the consumer by assuring competitive prices for all products, a variety of products from which to choose and a choice of which companies are selected as suppliers or providers.

Double Bonus:

If there are any other technologies that you would like to specifically consider in the above question format (such as Java or Office applications) please list those technologies and give an indication if you would view them in a similar or dissimilar fashion.