Looking at the AOL/Microsoft rivalry
C|Net | at | by Mike
In 1996, America Online carpet-bombed the nation with 3.5-inch floppy disks in a battle to build its brand and grab more of the online services market. At the same time, Microsoft waged "the Browser Wars," the media's moniker for the struggle between established Netscape Navigator and upstart Internet Explorer. In those days, the two companies were vicious rivals. AOL then helped sow the seeds that blossomed into the government antitrust suit against Microsoft. AOL Chairman Steve Case hammered Microsoft, demanding equal access to the consumer's computer desktop, referring to it as the "dial tone" of the online services industry. Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates volleyed back, quoted as saying he would either buy AOL or bury it.