Yeah, But

A controversy swirling around the release of NT 4.0 involves Microsoft's limiting to 10 the number of computers that can connect simultaneously to NT Workstation. To support more than 10 people, you have to use the more expensive NT Server, which sells for about $1100. Microsoft officials say they are justified in this practice, since they have not tested NT Workstation to ensure it can support heavy usage (for example, as an Internet Web server).

Yeah, but this practice puts other vendors of Web server programs at a disadvantage. Microsoft provides a free Web server program with NT Server. Microsoft's 10-user licensing restriction essentially prevents other vendors from selling Web software that runs on the less expensive ($319) NT Workstation at an overall cost that's less than NT Server. Competing on the NT Server field means Micros oft's competitors have to play against a free product.

Microsoft can put whatever restrictions it wants on its products. If people want to use NT to host Web sites, they can upgrade to NT Server.

Yeah, but Microsoft's policy will make customers who want to use NT as a platform for Web servers pay more. And other vendors say NT Workstation easily supports more than 10 users connected simultaneously to a Web site. They also argue that Microsoft already backed down from its plan to build the 10-user limitation into the NT Workstation software. But then why did Microsoft reintroduce the limitation by putting it into its licensing agreement?