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By Sarah Left, 4 January 1999 17:24

NEWS The Microsoft anti-trust trial resumed today, with Intuit CEO, William Harris calling on the US government to regulate Microsoft's Windows operating system as if it were a public utility. Harris argued in a written statement that the government should back "operating system neutrality". He claimed that Windows - installed on 90 per cent of desktops - "is to computer users what the dial tone is to customers using the telephone". Given the ubiquity of Windows, the Intuit boss said he wants to see it brought under government control. Harris also argued that the necessity of making software Windows-compatible puts software firms like Intuit in a weak bargaining position. Intuit entered into a deal with Microsoft to promote Internet Explorer, but Harris now says his company was coerced. He claims that if Intuit didn't agree to the deal, Microsoft would have pulled Intuit's Quicken financial package off the Windows desktop. Intuit was also forced to break off work in progress with Netscape, he claims. Microsoft has responded to Harris' testimony with a written statement, saying: "Microsoft is competing on the basis of technology and value, but Intuit seems to be trying to use the government and the courts to tip the scales against Microsoft. Mr Harris' testimony consists largely of the speculation of a Microsoft competitor trying to advance its own business interests."