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Former Windows Chief on Microsoft Vs. Open-Source

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the versus dept.

prostoalex writes "Brad Silverberg, former chief of Microsoft Windows division, who left the company in 1999, is being interviewed by the Milestone Group, on Microsoft specifically, and the software venture capital world in general (Silverberg is currently working as managing partner for Ignition Partners). He provides an interesting viewpoint on Microsoft's understanding of open source: 'I don't think they have figured that out yet, I think that is clear. They are struggling with not so much open source, per se, but rather they are no longer the low price solution. In the past Microsoft was the low cost solution and Microsoft was then competing and attacking expensive proprietary systems from below. Now for the first time the tables are turned and it's Microsoft that's being attacked from below by a lower price solution. Microsoft needs to figure out how it can demonstrate better TCO to justify its higher prices. Another aspect to that, which is an area I think Microsoft is also struggling with, which is when you are as successful and dominant as they are, how do you continue to foster that ecosystem? What really propelled Microsoft Windows success was an ecosystem that they created that allowed other people to benefit from your success. Actually your success was really a side effect or byproduct of their own success.'"

4 of 387 comments (clear)

  1. Ecosystems are bullshit by gelfling · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    They are Harvard B School way of saying "Most of this shit is out of our control and we frankly don't have a clue on how to address it. So let's call it all organic economics"

  2. TCO is bogus by Datagod · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I am tired of reading about "total cost of ownership". It is a made-up concept that is used as part of the FUD campaign.

  3. Re:Yawn by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait

    If that's the case then the article is a FUD stupid bullshitting. Slashdotters are in general stupid people, they are not smart. Are you saying that this person is also an idiot?

  4. Re:Its whatever the kids use by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Flamebait
    You believe in your own bullshit.
    • Fact 1: You are writing in Slashdot, the most stupid community in the world who think they are smart.
    • Fact 2: Nobody gives a shit about your idea except your fellow idiots here.

    I think these two facts alone is a nice proof, but all the security problems assoicated with MOzilla, and Linux are still not addressed. Remember, nobody in open source is committed to security. They still expect to ride on lower use so people don't attack them much.