On Wed, 29 Aug 2007 07:16:46 GMT, Charlie Wilkes
<charlie_wilkes@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>On Tue, 28 Aug 2007 08:02:34 +0100, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>
>> ODF is the most important thing for Linux right now. Microsoft uses at
>> least 6 companies at the moment (3 are selling Linux) to combat ODF.
>
>Hey Roy,
>
>You do a great job of running down interesting material on the web, but I
>think you overestimate the importance of this issue. I also think your
>concerns about Microsoft in general are out of balance with what is
>really happening these days.
>
>It seems pretty clear that Microsoft's star is waning. If you look at
>their financials, they are heavily dependent on desktop OS/apps for their
>earnings, and the days of fresh windfalls from desktop software are
>pretty much over. Microsoft's threats about patent lawsuits and their
>tampering with standards committees have an undertone of desperation.
>
>Portable devices appear to be the new focus of innovation and potential
>blockbuster products, and these will overwhelmingly be powered by Linux.
>The average PC may soon become little more than a fuel and storage dock
>for gadgets, which does not bode well for a high-priced OS.
>
>This is the picture that is taking shape for me largely because I read
>the links that you post. I also see it in the real world... people use
>their phones to display photos and perform various tasks they formerly
>did with a desktop computer. And I never see a Microsoft logo on any of
>these phones or media players, or their splash screens...
>
>But even if control over the desktop is still important, I don't think
>Microsoft can maintain control with lawyers and back-room deals the way
>they once did. Microsoft is losing clout with OEMs because Vista is not
>moving machines the way the OEMs hoped, and in fact, OEMs are being
>forced by consumers to maintain a line of XP machines.
>
>As for OOXML, if MS is going to say OOXML is an open standard, they will
>have to cooperate on some level to make it one. For example -- the guy
>who wrote about what went on in Norway noted that Sun views OOXML as a
>way of compelling MS to release the specs they need to make their apps
>compatible with older versions of MS office products. And MS is pinned
>under the weight of their own rhetoric, because this backward
>compatibility is their best argument that OOXML differs substantially
>from ODF.
>
>I wouldn't want to be part of Microsoft's top management these days... it
>can't be a fun time, especially with a clown like Ballmer running the
>show.
>
>On the other hand, it's a good time to be a Linux advocate.
>
>Charlie
>
Nice write up..well stated. I don't know what the future holds for Microsoft,
but I do know that this company cannot continue in self destruct mode
much longer.
I would hope to see a shakeup at the top, some major down sizing and a
whole new set of software development policies that give the customers
what they want instead of what Microsoft wants.
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