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Microsoft Expects 1 Billion Windows Users by 2010

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the a-third-of-those-will-be-spam-slaves dept.

prostoalex writes "The head of Microsoft Windows client division claimed there will be 1 billion Windows users by 2010, while nowadays there are 600 million of them, Microsoft-Watch reports. 35% of Microsoft's enterprise customers are still running Windows 9x and they are ripe for upgrade. Currently Microsoft's desktop PC market share is at 96%, with the closest rival - MacOS from Apple Computer - being installed on 2.8% of the desktops."

22 of 480 comments (clear)

  1. New Headline by BigDork1001 · · Score: 4, Funny
    1 Billionth Windows Virus Expected By 2010.

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    "Armed forces abroad are of little value unless there is prudent counsel at home" - Cicero
    1. Re:New Headline by Digz · · Score: 5, Funny
      Wall Street, NY - In a surprise move, Microsoft (MSFT) announced today that they have reached their virus targets ahead of schedule. The company had formerly predicted the one billionth Windows virus by 2010, but were pleased to surprise investors with the news that the goal had been reached five years early.

      "Woohoooooo!!!!! We did it!!! We finally did one thing that didn't have to be delayed several times!!!" said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer while running around his office. "Eat that, you Linux zealots!"

      Microsoft was founded in 1975, and has become the largest software company in the world.

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      SYS 64738
  2. hmmm by Beaker1 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybe they should get one of those signs like McDonalds used to have: "over 1 billion served!"

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    "Who hasn't slipped into the break room for a quick nibble on a love Newton before?" - Mr. Peterman.
    1. Re:hmmm by yiantsbro · · Score: 5, Funny

      Yes, as a Windows user you have definately "been served"

    2. Re:hmmm by danormsby · · Score: 5, Funny
      > Maybe they should get one of those signs like McDonalds used to have: "over 1 billion served!"

      Are you saying Microsoft likes fat clients too?

      --
      Omnis amans amens
    3. Re:hmmm by ericvids · · Score: 3, Funny
      Are you saying Microsoft likes fat clients too?
      Although Microsoft has inadvertently promoted unhealthy diets for a long time, it started in recent times to convince their Fat customers to try the new Ntfs(tm) diet.

      Some Tech Guy: I've tried Ntfs for quite some time now and it really works! I've eliminated most of my unsightly clusters in just three weeks!

      Some Tech Guy 2: Stay fit, not fat! You too can lose all of that data! Switch to Ntfs now!
      --
      Pet peeve: Profane people propagating perfunctory pedantry.
  3. The MacDonald's of Operating Systems? by Aardpig · · Score: 4, Funny

    1 billion sold -- but poor quality, dangerous for your health, and leaves a bad taste in your mouth?

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    Tubal-Cain smokes the white owl.
    1. Re:The MacDonald's of Operating Systems? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

      In other news, Linux is a meal at a soup kitchen. Don't like it? You're more than welcome to volunteer to make food for all the other freeloaders.

      I'll just eat this Apple, thanks.

  4. Legal? by Martigan80 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is that 1 Billion LEGAL users?

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    This SIG pulled due to lack of funding. (This damn war is costing too much!)
  5. Windows in 2010 by lacrymology.com · · Score: 3, Funny

    2010... is that when they are releasing Longhorn?

    -m

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    #
    # Modus Ponens
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  6. meh by taromn · · Score: 2, Funny

    I think that by the time Windows gets 1 billion users, all the geeks here at Slashdot would of had hot steamy sex, including me.

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    flag burning
  7. Translation: by kfg · · Score: 2, Funny

    35% of Microsoft's enterprise customers are still running Windows 9x and they are ripe for upgrade.

    We'll be sending Guido around to make them an offer they can't refuse.

    KFG

    1. Re:Translation: by Mad_Rain · · Score: 2, Funny

      We'll be sending Guido around to make them an offer they can't refuse.

      Guido's gonna install a pirat^H^H^H^H^H "family" copy of XP? ;)

      --
      "What do you think?" "I think 'What, do you think?!'"
  8. Re:Bravado by Himring · · Score: 1, Funny

    As they say, predictions are difficult, especially about the future.

    Concur. Predictions about the past are cake by comparison....

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    "All great things are simple & expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope." --Churchill
  9. Re:Bravado by isorox · · Score: 4, Funny

    predictions are difficult, especially about the future.

    As opposed to the other kind of predictions?

  10. I can just see the new sign in Redmond... by Serk · · Score: 4, Funny

    Over One Billion Served!

    Somehow fitting, as Windows is to well written software what a Big Mac is to fine cuisine...

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    Never ask a geek why, just nod your head and slowly back away. -Rob Malda
  11. Re:Is the interesting claim by chef_raekwon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Doesn't one billion PCs sound a little high considering that the vast majority of the world's population doesn't have access to a telephone?

    us Slashdot geeks make up for the loss, with having 8 in the basement, 2 in the rec room, and 1 in the bedroom....

    --
    We're like rats, in some experiment! -- George Costanza
  12. Re:Magnetic Field will flip before that!! by Dutch_Cap · · Score: 2, Funny

    That you need to report to the nearest Microsoft re-education center.

  13. That leaves... by tsa · · Score: 1, Funny

    The fact that there are 1 billion Windows users on this planet means that there are 5 billion inhabitants of Earth that can easily learn to use Linux, Mac OS or some other civilised OS!

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    -- Cheers!

  14. best news i've heard all day by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    as a virus writer, i find this news encouraging .

  15. by 2010... by Ari_Haviv · · Score: 1, Funny

    there will be 1 BILLION linux distributions. unfortunately the number of linux users won't increase by that much

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    Join Team Mozilla #38050 Folding@home
  16. Counterbalance by the_twisted_pair · · Score: 2, Funny

    is provided by Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia etc. Half a billion people and maybe three original licenses in use.