Is Microsoft Silent Before a Deadly Storm?

M$FTjack writes "Discussions about Microsoft are all over the place, esp. with its recent delays to Vista. Some consider Microsoft to be doomed, while others say Microsoft is silent before a deadly storm. According to the article on CoolTechZone, the author believes that Microsoft will unleash an abundance of next-generation applications that will take everyone by surprise. From the article: 'So why am I citing all these examples? Simply because I think Microsoft is itself poised for a big leap. Despite all the rumors about Google and how it will topple Microsoft, I don't see that happening in the near future ... people (and I don't mean technology enthusiasts) will continue to purchase Microsoft products simply because of the sheer familiarity and comfort levels (BSoD et al) that they have with Microsoft software.'"

Comments

Microsoft is never silent before the storm.

[Whiney Mac Fanboy]

the author believes that Microsoft will unleash an abundance of next-generation applications that will take everyone by surprise.

No - thats the way Apple works (taking people by surprise with cool new stuff)

Microsoft announces products years in advance in an attempt to stop people buying the competitors products. When MS's software finally arrives, it tends to be..... dissapointing.

people (and I don't mean technology enthusiasts) will continue to purchase Microsoft products simply because of the sheer familiarity and comfort levels (BSoD et al) that they have with Microsoft software.'

No, this should read:

people (and I don't mean technology enthusiasts) will continue to purchase Microsoft products simply because of vendor lock in - they will continue to need to run specialised applications that only exist on the windows platform.

Quotes from the article:

Let's start with Vista. Fine, so it got delayed by a few months.

Gosh, that's the worst mispelling of six years I've ever seen!

Microsoft Office 2007. I don't know the last time I felt so good about a piece of software. It's just superb. While it doesn't have too many earth shattering features,

Thats just the problem - no new features compelling people to upgrade from office 2000 (or 97 for that matter)

Windows Live. The world is going ga-ga over Google Earth but it can never match the clarity that Microsoft's local.live.com has.

The only feature on Live Local I like is the birds eye view - and it doesn't work where I live! (large US cities only). A pity - as virtual earth problaby has better data then google earth, its just that google earth presents it nicer!

Microsoft is working overtime to get its search right. Its indexed search feature in Vista negates the need to install Google Desktop.

Riiiight...just like IE7 will mean no need to install firefox!

Analysis like this presents Google as the only competitor to MS - but the fact is their market is being chipped away from all sides, by a multitude of competitors.

Re:Microsoft is never silent before the storm.

[alexhs]

> Let's start with Vista. Fine, so it got delayed by a few months.

Gosh, that's the worst mispelling of six years I've ever seen!

It's not a mispelling, it's a twist. Vista only got delayed by a few months. Longhorn on the other hand... :)

Re:Microsoft is never silent before the storm.

[Anonymous Coward]

Microsoft announces products years in advance in an attempt to stop people buying the competitors products. When MS's software finally arrives, it tends to be..... dissapointing.

Indeed. To quote computerworld from 1995:

Last month, the U.S. District Court jurist in Washington suggested barring Microsoft from making vaporware announcements because doing so can allegedly freeze the market and discourage buyers from purchasing competing products.

This has always and continues to be their strategy. As far as I can tell, this time their entire marketing plan is

"Don't buy a Mac or install Ubuntu or else you might miss out on Vista's similar UI candy".

Re:Microsoft is never silent before the storm.

[ergo98]

But yes, it was likely delayed more than a "few months" at least due to them deciding to throw out the XP kernel and base it on Server 2003's instead.

They didn't "decide" to make the kernel transition. Rather, much like Duke Nukem Forever, technology changed so much while they were in development that they saw now loss in changing the "engine". In the process they dumped much of the work they have completed, and started largely anew.

It was the result of the first iteration being a complete disaster.

Re:Microsoft is never silent before the storm.

[Rocketship Underpant]

"What if MS is actually learning something from Apple's success and trying that strategy out?"

That probably wouldn't work because of their sales strategy. They sell companies expensive 3-year subscriptions with the promise that they'll get Microsoft's latest and greatest when it's ready; to make the sale, naturally, they have to hype the products in the pipeline.

If I recall correctly, Vista/Longhorn was supposed to be out in 2004, 3 years after XP. Some corporations paid a lot of money for a lot of nothing in 2001 and the following years, based on empty promises and grossly miscalculated shipping dates.

Where's the picket sign? DOOM

[AviLazar]

Come on, MS doomed? Is the other side of the picket sign "End of the world"? MS is huge, they have a HUGE customer base. They are not going out of business anytime soon. They have TONS and TONS of highly qualified techies who are working to make new products that MANY people will buy.

Re:Where's the picket sign? DOOM

[ergo98]

Just because you (and others) may not like MS does not mean they dont have tons of ingenious/creative people working for them.

You do realize, don't you, that it's possible for someone to like Microsoft, or to be neutral about them, and still to predict that they have tough times ahead? Building a caricature of everyone disagreeing being a pro-Linux anti-MS nut is both incorrect and offensive. I'm a Microsoft Empower member, my business does consulting largely for Microsoft SQL Server, and I continue to pursue Microsoft certifications, yet there isn't a chance in hell that I'd hold Microsoft stock right now, nor would I recommend that someone accept an employment agreement that relies upon options as the primary draw. Demand cold hard cash or look for work with a competitor.

Re:I trust Microsoft completely.....

[Necoras]

Microsoft is a lot like McDonalds... Both are global forces and probably aren't going anywhere soon. But you feel kinda guilty after buying anything from either of them, and you usually have a bad taste in your mouth for days...

Re:Beware Office 2007, it is that good.

[1u3hr]

Office 2007 is absolultely killer software. It is really the first time since Office 95, where it is a must-upgrade.

Must-upgrade the computer, RAM, monitor, video card.

I really would like to know what are the killer features that are so irresistible to you and the article writer. There really isn't much you can't do, in terms of least effort to get words on paper and make it look presentable, that you you couldn't do with Winword 2, or WordPerfect 6, 10 or so years ago. If a feature is important, you learn where it is and/or create a shortcut for it. (I was doing that in WordStar almost 20 years ago.) I know one answer will be "collaborative tools". I've yet to meet anyone who uses these in real life. It requires a unifirm level of competence in a whole group, and you just don't get that. Usually it will be the boss who just sends back files via fax with remarks scribbled on them. But most users are still pushing out one or two page memos, same as their great-grandparents did on Underwood typewriters over a century ago.

Re:Beware Office 2007, it is that good.

[Anonymous Coward]

Office 2007 is absolultely killer software.

and let me guess, you're posting using its spell checker!

Polishing Apples

[djdavetrouble]

well, this is sooo true.....why a mp3 player is nothing more than a really small player piano....
with a battery instead of a foot pedal. and a digital file instead of a roll of paper with holes punched
into it. and instead of vibrating strings, there are little cones that vibrate directly next to your ear.
But a player piano never looked so shiny and cute and a player piano never played "Fuck the Police" or "Too Drunk to Fuck" ( I don't think ).
This is the genius of apple !
so, where is my book deal.