Slashdot Mirror
Why is Microsoft Making its Own Life Difficult?
sebFlyte asks: "Asking Slashdot readers what they think of Microsoft's methodology and ethos might seem like a silly thing to do, but a ZD-Net article raises some interesting points. The main one is that: 'Microsoft's behaviour is technically, morally and practically indefensible. It could publish its CIFS specification tomorrow if it so chose, an act that would correspond closely to the spirit and letter of the European decision. The company would then be free to compete through the simple process of making better products, something it claims to favour, while also encouraging precisely the sort of interoperability it says is missing.' The question I'm curious to canvas opinion on is why Microsoft is taking an attitude that is believed by so many to be damaging to their market position."
Look, reporters, critics, journals, haters, and analysts have been claiming similar things for decades now. Who gives a shit what they say? It's always, "Microsoft will not be able to sustain the growth of product X" and BAM, that product ends up dominating the market. Or maybe it's that, "Establishing overseas labs will hinder MS's development" and BAM, they end up doing much better as a result. Or it's, "Certain law suits or patents will come back to bite MS in the ass" and BAM, they are settled and MS gets even stronger. This is no different. Anyone on the sidelines, no matter how credible, can make whatever claims they want to fulfill whatever agendas that they may have. Microsoft isn't full of idiots: idiots do not build, sustain, and grow - over the span of 25 years - the largest and most powerful software company - or among ANY group of companies, for that matter. They know full well what they're doing. Their financial track record is a proof of that.
It may comfort you to read articles which portray Microsoft in some sort of a downfall or crossroads, but we know that's because you're an OSS fanboy and you hate Microsoft.
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And you think any other major company is in it to provide a better product or service? If you believe that then you're more naive than the entire OSS community put together. The world revolves around money, power, and influence. You either have it, want it, or criticize it as unholy. A business is in business to make money and win market share, employing whatever means along the process it deems necessary and walking the fine line of legality and growth. I suggest you wise up or the world will run you over.
A blog like any other.
...they're not a bunch of smelly, disgusting communists. Tee hee!