ORBITZ: Monopolization of an Online Market

[TechJumper]

is it possible?

AOL,TIME WARNER is working to control the Internet Media industry

ORBITZ is set out to take over Internet travel bookings

Heck, who lives in a town where WALMART didn't knock out all the mom and pops.

AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, CDNOW are more examples of big company knocks out little company

Now there is nothing wrong with this picture legally, ethically, economically, or any other "ally" you can think of. But is it right for a company with billions of dollars worth of funding to take over a perhaps better but smaller company?

Well, whatever your opinion, this is the way it's been forever, and this is the way its going to be in the future. But the other day I read a cover story of EWEEK magazine that really took the wind out of me.

It was about ORBITZ, a new travel booking company online who's WHOLE PURPOSE was to knock out everyone else.

The only problem with this picture is the people who fund Orbitz. All of the Airline industry execs got together on this one. IMHO, this is a first step toward price fixing.

Its the same thing with AOL, TIME WARNER - they can make the prices as high as they want because they control the market.

I'm only 15, and do not propose to support my opinion that this control is wrong, so I as those of you who are older, and know business for what it really is...WHAT DO YOU THINK?

IS THIS WRONG?
IS IT A NEW PROBLEM?
IS THERE A SOLUTION?

Please, profess your ponderances here http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif-


TJ

[MiKe85]

I actually don't have a Walmart, but i know a store that is almost greater than walmart, which is Meijers.

Now there is nothing wrong with this picture legally, ethically, economically, or any other "ally" you can think of. But is it right for a company with billions of dollars worth of funding to take over a perhaps better but smaller company?

I guess that's just business, and that's just the way the "game" is played.

Its the same thing with AOL, TIME WARNER - they can make the prices as high as they want because they control the market.

Well once again, i don't agree with the business strategies, but it's whoever can make the most $$ and be the most powerful. Which of course AOL Time Warner currently is.

I'm only 15 also, but don't really see anything wrong with this way of business, (Legal wise.) On a personal level? Of course it's dirtly, low, and kind of a cheapshot to everyone that owns or buys the product (or uses the service) that these monopolies are running.

Guess that's my opinion. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[Raist]

Tech, I read your post and I agree that one company becoming the dominant and controlling company where the net is concerned worries me. I live out in the boonies and have no cable access and no DSL. I'm stuck on a dialup and prefer to use free-ISPs. I personally hate AOL and their partnership with time warner worries me for the same reason it worries you. If and when cable modem access is available to me if they are the only provider doniating the market then they can feel free to charge whatever they want.

[TechJumper]

Yes, the AOL, TIme Warner thing worries many of us, because of one thing - they have ALL THE MONEY IN THE WORLD.

Now, they control the following:

What we see
Where we see it
How we see it
When we see it

not a good sign, when you consider their only opposition is Mr. Gates http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif.


They have but one fault: THEY WANT IT ALL, EVERYTHING. and that, is a weekness.


TJ