Who'd wish to be in Microsoft's shoes? There it was squaring up to battle with the US government over plans to break the company in two when the judge changes the rules of the game.

He was less than impressed with the proposal, arguing that it would merely create two monopolies in each sector. Instead, he thought it right to consider the merits of splitting the software giant in three, or even four.

If Microsoft wanted six months to mount a case against the government proposal, who knows how long it would like to demolish these more dramatic propositions. It was all academic anyway as the judge was having none of it . . . cutting short the arguments from either side and demanding they file their final submissions next week, after which he will rapidly rule on it.

It would be all too easy to think the judge had it in for Microsoft; in truth, he appears unwilling to drag out the process when the Redmond-based giant has already indicated it will be filing a comprehensive appeal.