Microsoft's anti-competitive behaviour
I think that people tend to focus on cash when they think of Microsoft - don't! Focus instead on how innovation and marketing of computers can give you more time to do the important things in your life such as spend time with your family, excercise or make better informed dietary decisions.
Innovation to me means that when I take my new PC out of the box I can write notes, listen to music and connect to the Internet. The fact that Microsoft sell a product (Windows X) with "bundled" ( an unusual term. Think : pre-installed ) software which allows me to do this is probably the major reason that the personal PC market even exists in the scale that it does.
Something which interests me - and that I'm not quite sure what criteria the EU used when they decided to focus on a media player - is why didn't they focus on the socket layer componentry or the simple text reader market instead? Politics I suspect! Or is it because they are second-guessing the future and concerned that gaining a monopoly in media devices will also give Microsoft a monopoly into even bigger delivery mechanism as media players stream off of the PC and onto broader delivery technologies - such as TV's and Phones?
Overall, if today's decision by the EU means that I get better access to cheaper/better/etc tools to run on my PC then I'm all for it. My biggest concern however is that, by focussing solely on Microsoft's anti-competitive behaviour that I won't. It's hard to see standards being lifted by bringing a major player down. I think that, in addition to the the slap-on-the-wrist that the EU should also advise the consumer (Me) will manage to "discover" and get access to a better tool to do the job I might be lost. They should also concentrate on ensuring that other significant players are doing their part to ensure that "mums and dads" have access to viable alternatives.
Should they have slapped Microsoft on the wrist? Probably. Should they slap other major players for failing to reach broader markets with their advertising dollars... most likely yes also.