Letters

New Technology Not A Panacea

[Re: "Closing The Technology Gap," February 2002, Page 9] While I agree that investment in manufacturing equipment is often worthwhile, it is not a panacea. Wasn't that the lesson learned by General Motors in the 1980s? As you point out these investments must be

Tremendous improvements are often realized by improving manufacturing processes and NOT necessarily investing in equipment. An excellent investment in these troubled times is an investment in engaging the workforce in the improvement of processes by the elimination of waste throughout the enterprise.

Jerry Feingold

President

Continuous Improvement Consultancy

Ventura, Calif.

Weighing In On Microsoft Settlement

Had the government not become involved in the Microsoft situation to begin with, we wouldn't have to worry about the "unintended consequences" of the judgment ["Gates Skates," Febmary 2002, Page 36], which is a wellknown hazard of government intervention. Apple doesn't argue with the intent, which is to hurt its main competitor, but the result, which would be more market share for Microsoft. Even the government can't figure out a way to hurt Microsoft. Apple has been trying for years and they can't figure it out either. Why not let them continue to make products people want and need and leave them alone? Government involvement doesn't level the playing field, it only makes the direction of the tilt less predictable.