Are Microsoft's days numbered?

I use my PC *only* for playing games, whichever OS they make, please dont make it hard for game devs to code cool games.... it'd be hard to imagine them to need to support another library (like Open GL/Direct X).

On a separate thought... An online OS might not be easy to adopt in third world countries where Internet is still considered a luxury. Its a neat idea though, no need to have CDs to scratch and replace..., possibility of using something like Steam technology and piracy would be very much controlled.

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Microsoft is trying to inhibit the technological progress. In the end this is why they will fall. The future of computing is sharing cpu-time (and diskspace) over the ethernet. This will need superior knowledge in networking as well as in clustering. Microsoft has neither of it. And they will not be able to close the gap. Instead they will try to tell you how dangerous or whatever it is.

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i say yes mac is more affordable and microsoft is losing their hold

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i say yes mac is more affordable and microsoft is losing their hold

bwahahaha

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i'm sorry, i mean..

...hehehehe..

microsoft may be facing competition in the internet and on application side but for the next few years at the least they will still command the industry. They are still the most sought for buisness solutions, and dispite the security woes buisnesses see them as the safest bet.

So many companies are unsure about macs in the buisness place. They have such a small role, they are largely unknown, untested, and untrusted. Poles have shown that consumers are increasingly (rapidly) becomming more satisfied and trusting with Microsoft's handeling of security issues and we're seeing Vista as staving off many of these troubles for the future. Its been proving implementing a linux network over a MS one can be more expensive, how could a mac network be cheaper?

Mac equipment is without question more expensive, and i would imagine their IT support is more expensive - but that is only a speculation.

People say that MS will maintain a 'strangle' hold on the industry because of its practices of 'keeping down the competition'.. i've never understood this. They don't do anything other buisnesses in every sector don't do and i have never thought of them as big brother. ( When they go too far you see the lawsuits that result [nothing goes unnoticed when you're that big] so have some faith in our system ).

speaking mainly to those who gripe about MS as a corporate giant:

Does anyone every consider that they might be that big because they're doing something RIGHT? Does anyone consider that if IBM didn't screw up somewhere ( marketing ) that OS2 might be the big dog today?

Everybody has a problem with something in windows but i don't think anyone on this site is a neophyte. we're here because we're comfortable with windows to the point that we're CUSTOMIZING it. Be greatful, guys.. you're all using windows. why? because you can't find an alternative? root for the home team for once

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Macs are about as affordable as buying yourself the Presidency.

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or the next few years at the least they will still command the industry

Anyone that disagrees with that has serious issues. Even with a product out tomorrow that could compete with Windows and surpass it would still have many years of struggle on its hands to even begin to reach a level where you could call it a real threat.

Mac equipment is without question more expensive

I'm going to pretend I'm a Mac zealot now, this is not true because you could buy an up coming ipod shuffle that has a mouse and keyboard attachment and use it as a complete computer

Does anyone every consider that they might be that big because they're doing something RIGHT?

Yes and no, they were certainly there in the right place at the right time with the right idea. No matter how much people may dislike Bill Gates you have to admit he exercised a real stroke of genius seeing the future and making use of what tools he had at the time to capitalise on that. You could also say no if you just look at them for their recent history and I believe in the world of computers, your only as good as your last decision. Microsoft has made attrocious mistakes, not in terms of making money, but in terms of providing a stronger future for Windows which I think you do by providing features your customers want, when they want them and bringing features in you didn't even know you wanted until you used them. This they have not done.

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

Anyone that disagrees with that has serious issues. Even with a product out tomorrow that could compete with Windows and surpass it would still have many years of struggle on its hands to even begin to reach a level where you could call it a real threat.

Something to think about: Linux has already been struggling for years and is making leaps and bounds.

I'm going to pretend I'm a Mac zealot now, this is not true because you could buy an up coming ipod shuffle that has a mouse and keyboard attachment and use it as a complete computer

Last time I checked the shuffle dosen't have a screen...

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Something to think about: Linux has already been struggling for years and is making leaps and bounds

I don't really want to argue this point as i'm a big supporter of *nix in general. It's a stretch to say it is coming on leaps and bounds in relation to windows desktop users though. It's difficult to find impartial stats on the subject but we can infer a lot from the lack of native driver support, lack of industry standard alternative software and not seeing the platform in any meaningful way in the high street. That's not to say it is not growing in popularity, it's just got a long way to go before it could really be considered in competition with Windows.

Last time I checked the shuffle dosen't have a screen...

Darn it, I'd make a terrible Mac zealot.

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People say that MS will maintain a 'strangle' hold on the industry because of its practices of 'keeping down the competition'.. i've never understood this. They don't do anything other buisnesses in every sector don't do and i have never thought of them as big brother.

Bro, you're blinding yourself! MS is (ab)using its monopolistic situation whenever they want to enter some new market or whenever they feel the need to make an entire market vanish. They "develop" a poor solution (you know like the MediaPlayer or Internetexplorer and so on) and take care, that this solution is the only one working perfectly with Windows. So they either destroy the entire market or they immediatly monopolise in the new market. I don't know any other corporation that acts like this as often as MS does.

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whenever they want to enter some new market...They "develop" a poor solution

they can do some things better. they've done some things great. fact is you're using their software. why? did they force you to use it through their monopolistic situation or did you choose to use windows because of the software available on it, or because of the way it works? They do't force anyone to do anything.

consider that companies partner up with them or sell their technology willingly so they can get a peice of the pie, knowing that being with the industy leader means the industry sees your product

microsoft can't just bulldoze around - this is illegal. You've seen them get slapped on the wrists when they do something wrong. again, read the news, see what companies are buying who and taking over who, and you'll see MS is no different than viacom, clearchannel, sony, universal, time warner, apple, yahoo, novell, symantec, ea games, beoing, nasa, etc and STARDOCK! how many games were added to total gaming in the last month that stardock didn't create? does this make stardock evil, monopolistic, and show they lack in their own creativity? Or have they chosen to pull these software companies close, keep them warm, and give them an opportunity to sell their game on a proven platform?

putting internet explorer in windows does not mean they were trying to suppress the internet or take control. This is.. just rediculous. They had a product that worked just fine (at its time) and handled code a certain way and being their browser, and THEIR operating system, they made it a default. so 90% of computers have IE on as default? as a web developer i'd program for IE! You have a choice to use or not use it, and as everyone is seeing now, years later, there are many other alternatives that have evolved with the internet. The new IE is going to evolve as well.

Media player was a poor solution? i think media player is an excellent player! it is very funcitonal, it uses little resources, and its has built in skinning. i think this is great! Again, its microsoft's operating system, they can make their own player the default if they want to. you can chose to use it or not use it. I use winamp simply because it works with an ipod.. otherwise i'd use media player. I highly prefer media player over itunes. It comes down to preference.

I still want to know why people use windows if they hate MS so much.

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

I still want to know why people use windows if they hate MS so much.

Because it's what came on thier machine or they don't feel the need to relearn how to use another OS such as Linux or the fact that Macs are expensive. Just a few good reasons.

Oh and no I don't hate MS. Some of their business practices are questionably as is the price of their OS since it has security issues and bugs. Another topic for another day.

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Funny how those with power are always despised.

I'd guarantee about 90% of those whom post hating microsoft, or wish to see their demise use Windows. In addition, are probably also using various microsoft programs. Heck, probably even own an XBox. "Don't hate the player, hate the game." Is it Gates' fault his company is a "super power". No, it's ours. WE buy the software (or pirate it, which is still USING it even though we say we hate it) WE assist in the "tyrants" such as Microsoft to become as powerful. Some of you believe, hey! I am using windows but I refuse to use IE and I use Firefox and/or Opera (I use Opera) Therefore, I spite Microsoft and they will fold because I choose to use a different browser. OOOoooooo.. Wow, I'm really sure they care. LOL.. IE never has the functionality because basically it doesn't need to! IF it did, those same 90% would STILL complain because Microsoft created it and STILL use something else and "swear" It was better. All I'm saying is... Like Microsoft or not, they are here and here to stay because of us. (Including it's "enemies") If anything, send congrats their way for making our lives what they are today.

. I have a 7 month old son, if your biggest concern is "taking down Microsoft" then you're an idiot. Sorry

Worry about more important things in life and not how you're ideas can "supposedly" improve our lives, let them figure it out. The nuclear bomb was "supposedly" our great idea and our demise all at the same time. If in 10 years google releases an OS and it's "d shiznit" we'll all hate them too in about 15. IT's true. Deal with Microsoft.

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fact is you're using their software. why?

Because i have no choice. I am not my company's admin so i have to work with the stuff the admin hands out to me. Fact is rather: i do not own any license of any Microsoft-product and i do not use no such software at home.

They do't force anyone to do anything.

Well this is what they want you to think. My company is selling computers (notebooks as well as desktops) and we _are_ forced to sell them with Windows preinstalled infact. Well ok, we can sell them without of course, but we cannot advertise this. If we advertised that or if we even advertised linux we'd have to pay a looot more money for Microsoft's licenses. And you will agree: noone can afford this, neither we nor our competitors like Dell and so on.
So if we are forced to _sell_ the stuff with Windows this automatically means most people are in fact forced to _buy_ it with Windows - most likely because they do not know about the alternatives and because they don't really care about it. Maybe you think "what is he complaining about?!" My problem is, that Microsoft doesn't rule the market due to technological superiority but due to abusing their monopoly.

Btw: on my own hardware i'm only running FreeBSD. I do not hate Windows. If someone donated a license to me i'd maybe use it too (yes it works without tremendous problems on my job-related notebook). But i do know and have to feel the way they act over there in Redmond.

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matze, you've just told me that you are only selling MS stuff because you know that people will buy it.

we can sell them without of course, but we cannot advertise this.

CIrcuit city may be a ball-breakingly hudge company but they sell macs, pcs, and pcs with and without windows. HP sells pcs without windows. IBM still sells machines without windows. Unfortioantely you can not sell a computer with NO operating system to someone who knows nothing about computers if you can't afford to tailor to that specific of a market. And because people are familier with microsoft, it makes sense to ship them a windows machine. Its afforable. Its easy to use. Its a name they know. This is still not the resault of microsoft showing up and forcing your hand to sell their OS. This is a result of a company which is built its way into a house hold name and you choosing to supply the demand. You guys could go into buisness selling macs or OS-less machines if you want, but your buisness knows that PC's will sell better. Do you see the circle? It is still your company's choice but a choice they made as wise buisnessmen. Although you may disagree with your available options, you're still punting off MS stuff while other options are available. This is the only point i am trying to make.

i have to work with the stuff the admin hands out to me

of course i agree here - circumventing all arguments, if your company assigns you a computer, you don't really have a choice

If you've chosen to work for a company selling MS, you've still made that choice.

guys don't think i'm some MS crazy care bear.. i'm just trying to point out that options exist. You have for whatever reason chosen not to use them and Ms showing up at your house and stealing your soul is not one of them. Even if you hate windows, you hate MS, but you HAVE to use it because it happens to be the kind of computer daddy bought you for christmas, fact is be him knowledgable or not about his available options, he chose it for a reason, and you have a free computer! So stop complaining! My company gave me a Nextel phone. Nextel SUCKS! but its a free phone!!

This is like people complaining about the price of gas while they are driving a hummer.

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Because it's what came on thier machine or they don't feel the need to relearn how to use another OS such as Linux or the fact that Macs are expensive. Just a few good reasons.

laziness is no excuse

if you cant afford a mac, you can use linux. if you dont want to learn how to use linux, then deal with windows 'cause its still your choice. Otherwise don't use a computer at all. Terry you've been trying your hand at linux and at macs. You decided you didn't like windows and wanted something else. I think thats great.

If you still use windows because Adobe hasn't released its software for linux - blame them, not MS! They said 'people have windows, im going to program for windows'.. 'its not cost effecient to program for linux'. Just like people writing web pages for internet explorer. They had a choice and made it too.

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Man did you even read my posting?
I did NOT write Microsoft really forces us to sell our computers with their Windows. As you say we are selling some without too. They just do not tolerate if we advertise another option, because this would mean we'd advertise Windows as the most expensive option to chose (you know like "computer 500$", "computer + linux 515$" and "computer + windows 600$"). Of course most of our customers would still buy Windows, because they need to run some software or whatever on it or just don't have a real admin but some mcse-guy. I actually don't care. But Microsoft does. They would not tolerate such an advertisement. And they do not lose money if they raise our licence-fee from like 100 bucks to 300. We couldn't sell any further windows-desktop. The customers would buy at our competitor's and MS gets the same money they did before they disliked us. Are you getting the clue?

I told you i do not hate Windows, and neither do i hate Microsoft. I just said they are not leading by technological progress but by abusing the existing monopoly. I don't understand why you're doing the Microsoft zealot here who doesn't want to accept that...

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kona0197

Join Date 02/2003

+86

laziness is no excuse if you cant afford a mac, you can use linux. if you dont want to learn how to use linux, then deal with windows 'cause its still your choice. Otherwise don't use a computer at all. Terry you've been trying your hand at linux and at macs. You decided you didn't like windows and wanted something else. I think thats great.

Thanks. I've slowly been learning Linux. I've stil;l got XP around for skinning of course.

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I do like google now that I have used it, I hate other engines cause they just don't give me the right stuff.

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Are Microsoft's days numbered?

The web becomes a platform