What Would The World Be Like Without Microsoft?

CanadianMikey asks: "The debate with the business side of computing rages on about the validity of Open Source. Is it good or bad? What is the future of computing? Could it have been different, and where will the 21st century take us? Is Microsoft just the big nail that always gets hammered first and will someone step in to take their place when they are finally taken down? If Microsoft were to close up shop, who do the readers of Slashdot think would be tomorrow's Microsoft? What about the forgotten windows?"

Comments

Re:MS Bashing

[k_head]

I am so tired of this same old liteny here. But what the hell I don't have anything better to do.

"Slashdot has a tendency to continually bash MS."

SO FUCKING WHAT? Shut up already about this. If you don't like MS bashing go to someplace else. May I suggest you hang out at gotdotnet.com. There you will see people continually bash linux 24X7. Hell if you post a message defending open source or java too ardently they will even remove your posts for you. If you want to visit a site that bashes slashdot itself there are no shortages of that either.

This is the internet. There are forums to bash MS, Linux, Barney, Wesley Crusher or redheads. Go find one that suits your needs.

"I am not claiming that MS does no bad, but really there is not many large companies out there that have not done something bad at some stage. And there is not one company out there that would not defend themselves the same way that MS has, if they were under attack, be that a legitimate attack or not."

This is my favorite. I call the "my standards for myself are very low" defense. Rephrased it goes like this.

"Gee mommy I know I killed the neighbors dog but lot of people kill dogs and that makes it right"

And

"Gee mommy I know I killed the neigbors dog but johny over there would have also killed the dog if he just had the chance so that makes it right"

"So mod me down if you wish, but really, the MS bashing is starting to get boring."

You may be bored but I am disgusted. I am disgusted that an ordinary person would spend some time defending a multi billion dollar corporation and the worlds richest man from the unwashed masses of slashdot. I am disgusted that you feel that you need to add your voice to the din raised by marketing companies, PR firms, paid for politicians, bought out analysts. MS spend tens of millions of dollars a year telling the world how great they are and yet you feel that somehow if you just added your voice it would make all the difference.

Poor old helpless Microsoft. Getting attacked by those mean little slashdotters. I better to come to Bill gates aid right away lest he be crushed.

You are pathetic. More pathetic then any stereotype you may have about pimply faced slashdot kids living in their mom's basement.

why would you pledge your allegience to some company? Why do they need your help? What do you care if some company suffers? honestly do you go around ford when people say bad things about their cars? Do you go around defending Toshiba if somebody tells you their TV sucks?

Of all the millions of corporations in the world why did you choose MS to pledge your allegience to?

Re:Standards

[dup_account]

I know I'm not supposed to say this... But, dude... you are a moron.