Microsoft tipping

[Alma J Wetzker]

Joel Hammer wrote:
> Well, the article was a bit short on facts.
> 
> Predicting the future is a risky business. How many billions has this
> tech writer made through his insights into the computer business?
> 
> For example, a booming economy might make businesses less tight fisted
> with their IS dollars. That could change the business situation of MS
> quite favorably.
> 
> I guess we all judge things by our local environment. Here, in our large
> hospital system, biggest employer in Maryland they tell me,  we not only
> use only MS software for the desktop but we use only compaq computers.
> If you buy a Dell our IS department tries to kill you. Opensource is
> not going to take this place by storm anytime soon.
> 
> So, maybe some are looking at linux. We are not.
> 
> And, I wonder how long those teams of volunteers are going to keep working
> to improve software when business people are making serious bucks off
> their efforts and they are getting nada. If linux goes commercial big
> time, that might put serious stresses on the linux community.
> 
> And, as anybody who uses both opensource and commercial software can tell
> you, ease of use is much better on commercial software. For example,
> Adobe printshop is just much easier to use than the Gimp. I have never
> had to read a manual for Adobe, but I have studied books on gimp, and
> I can do more in adobe than the gimp, and faster.
> 
> I love vim, which is one of the greatest things opensoftware has produced,
> but I would never expect anybody I know to learn it.
> 
> So, I wouldn't count MS out.
> 
> To be honest, I invest heavily in microsoft. And it's not because I love
> the company or its software. It appeals to the lowest common denominator.
> 
> Joel
> 
> 
> Sun, Dec 28, 2003 at 01:04:31PM -0600, Alma J Wetzker wrote:
> 
>>http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=13350
>>
>>This article on /. makes the case that Microsoft is losing market share and 
>>is poised to lose lots more.  It makes an intriguing premise that might be 
>>fun to watch for.

I have deep concerns about a computing world without Microsoft.  Without a 
standard to emulate and exceed, I fear that the open source community would 
fail.  I am also much more in favor of Bill Gates running the computer 
movement than, say, Larry Ellison or Lou Gerstner (I think Linus would make a 
bang up job of it).

I use linux for reasons of my own that are not really connected to hatred of 
M$ or seeking an alternative.  I just need a system that works.

I think the article makes some astute points and that M$ is currently 
threatened.  No one has ever won betting against the nimbleness of M$.  They 
are capable of moving drastically and quickly, if they feel a need to.  (I 
hold up the change to embrace the internet and ???/IP when the net burst onto 
the scene.)  I just want to see how M$ moves to get out of this one.

     -- Alma