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Moore's Law Is Microsoft's Latest Enemy
Glyn Moody writes "Until now, the received wisdom has been that GNU/Linux will never take off with general users because it's too complicated. One of the achievements of the popular new Asus Eee PC is that it has come up with a tab-based front end that hides the complexity. But maybe its real significance is that it has pushed down the price to the point where the extra cost of using Microsoft Windows over free software is so significant that ordinary users notice. As Moore's Law drives flash memory prices even lower, can ultraportables running Microsoft Windows compete?"
Case in point: My mechanic called me today to let me know I was overdue for an oil change. At the end of the call he asked me if I knew the difference between Microsoft Office "Home and Student" and the standard version. I had no idea, but recommend Open Office as a free alternative. He said he would check it out, "Saving $150 would be nice".
Now imagine all small business going over to F/OSS alternatives. MS would feel that hit.
Gee, I hope my oil change is free this time...
Virginia is for lovers. EVE is for griefers.
Microsoft's stock has become a widows and orphans fund since 2002. It is no longer a growth stock. It has flattened out. The market obviously has intuitive sense that yes, Moore's law is pricing Microsoft stock out, in the face of the growth of Free Open Source Software. I am not an investment adviser, but I would not hold onto Microsoft stock right now. The borg's best days are behind it.