Microsoft and free software? I don't think so...
,----[ Quote ]
| I’ve seen this pattern happen several times with software packages. Somebody
| has a non-free package that is well-liked, but it’s non-free, so free
| software developers put enormous time and effort into “reinventing the wheel”
| (the enormous waste cost of our present IP regime), in order to liberate that
| particular piece of functionality.
|
| As long as there is no free software alternative, the proprietary company can
| continue to milk the marketplace, so they never choose to free license.
|
| [...]
|
| And even if, by some miracle, Microsoft manages to get users to switch to
| Vista, selling the next upgrade is going to be that much harder. And
| Microsoft has already hit the point of diminishing returns within the
| proprietary development model (which is why Vista was way overdue and buggy).
| Not to mention that even relatively clueless end users are starting to pick
| up on the fact that, marketing hype aside, each generation of Windows is
| designed to restrict their freedom more and more.
|
| Kicking and screaming
|
| On the other hand, I’m not so sure that Microsoft will take the strategically
| optimal route. They’ve gotten awfully accustomed to blaming their customers
| and would-be customers for their own failings, and have increasingly turned
| to legal and political maneuvering as a way to stay in business. But those
| are desperation measures: continuing on that path will drive them into the
| ground.
`----
http://www.freesoftwaremagazine.com/community_posts/microsoft_and_free_software
Windows and Office gradually become like over-the-counter aspirin.
Days ago:
Microsoft stock drops amid slumping sales
,----[ Quote ]
| "The risk is that Linux gets a foothold and then affects their long-term
| revenue significantly."
`----
http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_9061263
Is Vista to Blame for Windows Revenue Drop?
,----[ Quote ]
| Microsoft said this week that Windows revenues during the first three months
| of 2008 were down nearly 24% from the same period last year.
`----
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,145153-pg,1/article.html
Microsoft earnings post-mortem: The cash cows quiver
,----[ Quote ]
| I can’t help but wonder if the lackluster Windows/Office results also can be
| attributed to Microsoft brass’s complete and crazy obsession with Google (and
| taking over Yahoo) has resulted in no one minding the Windows store.
`----
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1362
Recent:
Feeling the heat at Microsoft
,----[ Quote ]
| If I ask you who is Microsoft's biggest competitor now, who would it be?
|
| Ballmer: Open...Linux. I don't want to say open source. Linux, certainly have
| to go with that.
`----
http://www.news.com/Feeling-the-heat-at-Microsoft/2008-1012_3-6232458.html?tag=ne.fd.mnbc
Microsoft's SEC:
,----[ Quote ]
| A prominent example of open source software is the Linux operating system...
| To the extent open source software gains increasing market acceptance, sales
| of our products may decline, we may have to reduce the prices we charge for
| our products, and revenue and operating margins may consequently decline.
`----
http://www. microsoft.com/msft/SEC/default.mspx
|
|
