A Mortal Microsoft

Post #56,637 by admin 10/14/02 11:00:48 AM Reply	A Mortal Microsoft [link\|http://news.com.com/2009-1001-961291.html?tag=fd_lede1_hed\|http://news.com.com...fd_lede1_hed] For the first time in years, Microsoft seems vulnerable. The technology recession, strategic miscalculations and general wariness following the Justice Department's four-year antitrust case have resulted in a psychological shift against Microsoft throughout the industry. Rivals and customers are sensing opportunities to challenge the software empire after decades of presumed invincibility. In this four-part special report, CNET News.com examines key technologies, competitors and internal mistakes that are exposing cracks in the Microsoft kingdom. Regards, -scott anderson "Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
Post #56,638 by drewk 10/14/02 11:02:17 AM Reply	Well duh Oh, I thought you said "amoral". === Microsoft offers them the one thing most business people will pay any price for - the ability to say "we had no choice - everyone's doing it that way." -- [link\|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=38978\|Andrew Grygus]
Post #56,642 by admin 10/14/02 11:12:09 AM Reply	A few tidbits: The question is, did Microsoft act too late? In just the past year, many companies have found that open-source software has gained a level of sophistication that makes it a viable alternative to Windows for server systems and Web site operations. [link\|http://news.com.com/2100-1001-275155.html\|Amazon.com], [link\|http://news.com.com/2100-1001-949913.html\|Verizon Communications] and Air New Zealand have all switched to Linux over the past 12 months to cut costs. In a recent [link\|http://news.com.com/2100-1001-956496.html\|survey] of 225 chief information officers, 29 percent said they owned Linux servers and 8 percent are formally considering buying them. More troubling for Microsoft, 31 percent of those who recently purchased a new Linux server used it to replace a server running Windows. Many technology managers cite the controversy over Microsoft's new licensing plan in their reasoning. "Linux is the end game in 'good enough' computing," Illuminata's Eunice said. "It's great stuff, it comes at little or no cost, and it's good enough to do the job. Just as Windows gave Unix makers fits in years past--and the Unix makers gave minicomputer guys fits, and minicomputer guys gave the mainframe makers fits--open source is giving Microsoft and Windows fits." And more Bullshit From Ballmer[tm]: Still, Ballmer--never known to mince words--is quick to point out where he sees Linux lacking. "The Linux client hardly runs any applications except a bunch of shareware stuff that\ufffds not very good," he said. "There has yet to be any innovation, new features, new capabilities out of the Linux platform. Regards, -scott anderson "Welcome to Rivendell, Mr. Anderson..."
Post #56,644 by boxley 10/14/02 11:32:09 AM Reply	thats a riot balmers quote "Still, Ballmer--never known to mince words--is quick to point out where he sees Linux lacking. "The Linux client hardly runs any applications except a bunch of shareware stuff that\ufffds not very good," he said. "There has yet to be any innovation, new features, new capabilities out of the Linux platform." I quote "The Windows client hardly runs any applications except a bunch of expensive stuff that\ufffds not very good," I said. "There has yet to be any innovation, new features, new capabilities out of the Windows platform since 1991." will work for cash and other incentives [link\|http://home.tampabay.rr.com/boxley/resume/Resume.html\|skill set] "Therefore, by objective standards, the leading managers of the U.S. economy...are collectively, clinically insane." Lyndon LaRouche
Post #56,649 by bbronson 10/14/02 12:01:01 PM Reply	As a Mac user, I think this one is choice " "First they cloned Unix, and there are people working on cloning some of our stuff. But it?s just a cloning OS. I don?t think anyone should expect anything innovative coming out of that world," said Ballmer." I guess MS should know cloning an OS when they see it. Brian Bronson
Post #56,664 by Brandioch 10/14/02 1:09:28 PM Reply	This was predicted. Microsoft has itself to blame at least in part for strengthening the hand of its rivals. A controversial new software licensing policy, which raises prices for some customers and asks them to pay in advance for future releases, has angered many Microsoft customers and driven them to seek cheaper alternatives such as Linux. MS NEEDS to show CONTINUING growth. Else, MS's stock drops and people start to wonder whether MS is in trouble. This was easy when the market was still growing. Now, the market is mature. It is saturated. The software you have TODAY will do the job you need it to do TOMORROW. So MS needs to generate revenue from customers who already have their product. So MS needs to take more money from its existing customers. But the customers don't like this anymore. And it will only GET WORSE. Showing continued growth with require continually increasing fees. Again, these fees come from the customers. The OTHER problem MS has is that SOME people are MIGRATING from Windows. This causes a REDUCTION in MS's customer base. Which means that every REMAINING customer has to pay a bit more to make up for those few migrating customers. Which leads to a few more customers migrating because of costs. And the cycle repeats itself.
Post #56,815 by Ashton 10/14/02 10:09:34 PM Reply	There is a force which could counter this trend - Ashcroft and the Authoritarian Security mentality. Last I heard, an ex (?) MS security type was in employ of DOJ / all related to Home Security yada + no doubt the DRM scam. We may only surmise. So, valid as your scenario appears (were there such a thing as a free market, that is) - surely it's evident that as long as This administration retains power, the dirction is clearly towards ----> the UnFree, in every nuance. (YAN reason to vote this time in Nov. ?) Ashton
Post #56,910 by drewk 10/15/02 9:08:18 AM Reply	You are correct Last I heard, an ex (?) MS security type was in employ of DOJ / all related to Home Security yada + no doubt the DRM scam. No google joy on this one, but I can confirm your recollection. === Microsoft offers them the one thing most business people will pay any price for - the ability to say "we had no choice - everyone's doing it that way." -- [link\|http://z.iwethey.org/forums/render/content/show?contentid=38978\|Andrew Grygus]
Post #56,963 by Brandioch 10/15/02 11:49:09 AM Reply	Yep. In the US. :) I guess it depends upon how much influence the US will have with the other nations. Use Microsoft or be declared a terrorist state!
Post #56,895 by tuberculosis 10/15/02 7:53:16 AM Reply	World War II A terribly powerful and sophisitacted war machine strikes out and begins to conquer neighboring territory. In the end though - fighting battles on too many fronts exhausts the resources of the aggressor and ultimately the many hungry little sharp toothed fishes devour the whale. I am out of the country for the duration of the Bush administration. Please leave a message and I'll get back to you when democracy returns.

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