If Microsoft wants to wait to release a new browser then this merely opens a nice hole for increased market penetration.
so the *opportunity* is there, but what's the *distribution channel*? MS has theirs built-in: windows update. how in the world does the rebel alliance get the software on non-geek desktops? and if you want to counteract MS's de facto browser monopoly, you need some critical mass of users (hint: all the world's geeks put together probably don't reach critical mass).
Microsoft has shown demonstrations of its new search technology, which emphasizes the use of natural language in queries like "Where are my vacation photos?" or "What is a firewall?"
and undoubtedly the answers will be "well, they *should* be on MSN Vacation Photo Server" and "a firewall is a security device invented by Microsoft, which you can buy here."
get it through your heads that just because someone does not know about technology does NOT mean that they are TOO STUPID to know!
i fully understand that - of course there are many brilliant people ignorant about technology. i consider "stupid" to be shorthand for "ignorant and/or uncaring about technology and related social issues."
Maybe the OSS community is the big lumbering beast which is slow to change while MS is getting on with changing what needs to be changed. Each small change by itself isn't ground breaking, but a trend, well, maybe that is.
the only problem with your argument is that it makes no sense.
these changes that you call "positive" are not particularly useful in themselves, and they're simply tactics in a larger effort to maintain their monopoly. they're adopting some of the techniques of their hipster arch-rivals so they don't look so corporate and square, but it's about as sincere as any other marketing effort. have you noticed that stealth marketing is all the rage these days for breaking through to today's cynical youth culture?
If Microsoft is focused on making money, they are focused on their products. They cannot, at gunpoint, force consumers to purchase their products. In order to make money, they must provide a product that appeals to the largest number of people possible.
and buy out virtually every emerging technology and use it to reinforce its monopoly. and attack the gpl and sow FUD in the minds of IT managers through shitty zombie corps. and prevent interoperability with patents. and purposely craft their monopoly OS so that it crashes competitors' software in other software markets. and not give a shit about security while making sure that each software release has enough whirling lights and colors to mesmerize their idiotic consumer base into ponying up for another upgrade.
microsoft sucks donkey-dick in so many ways it's hard to count. that's why you hear a lot of bitching on/. about them, not any other reason.
To this point in Microsoft's history, they have done NOTHING that I can think of out of the kindness of their hearts.
What exactly are you talking about? Are they supposed to buy everyone a teddy bear?
i agree with you on this one. i'm amazed by how many people say stuff like "microsoft only cares about one thing - money!". no duh, dipshit.
Microsoft made computing mainstream and gives most consumers exactly what they want. Isn't that kind enough?
microsoft was great a decade ago. i had respect for them and i liked their products. but that was then, and this is now. they have long worn out their welcome, and they're fucking up computing in general by virtue of their size and megalomania.
Only on/. can Microsoft contribute a product to sourceforge and be bashed for it.
microsoft "contributing" to SF is about as positive as some jerkoff "contributing" a turd into a public pool. their only purpose is to insinuate themselves into a thriving computing space that has nothing to do with MS and stink the place up.
To this point in Microsoft's history, they have done NOTHING that I can think of out of the kindness of their hearts.
i couldn't give a rat-fuck whether or not they do something out of kindness. i DO care about the awful things they're doing in order to maintain their stifling monopoly, including perverting standards, underhanded business deals, attacks-by-proxy on F/OSS, and locking consumers who are too stupid to know any better into proprietary technology.
evoting seems an ideal candidate for promoting awareness for F/OSS. why haven't i heard anything about F/OSS on the news stories / analyses of this issue?
Take THAT you socialist european ninnies! Further proof that only the free market can drive innovation and meet consumer demand! Don't worry, I'm sure it will make its way across the pond in a couple.. huh? what? THEY'VE got it first?? Dammit.
well no, they're not ALL bad. some are suitable for sex, and at the very least the others are worth the value of their constituent minerals and whatnot.
Nice how you were modded Insightful for insulting someone for their personal beliefs.
i was thinking "funny". for the sake of completeness, though, i'll post this so you can all mod as flame-bait something that deserves it (again, delivery, not content):
i think religious people are totally fucking bat-shit insane.
And something we have habitually done. Look into the Strategic Air Command, or just watch Dr. Strangelove.
no, seriously - DO watch Dr Strangelove. one of my favorite movies of all time. i made myself a sweatshirt and t-shirt with Dr Strangelove's picture on it.
Slashdot Mirror
what's the purpose of this style applied to the timestamp:
left -30px? anyone remember that "msn purposely breaks opera" deal when they did the same thing?2.6.6 is up :-)
so the *opportunity* is there, but what's the *distribution channel*? MS has theirs built-in: windows update. how in the world does the rebel alliance get the software on non-geek desktops? and if you want to counteract MS's de facto browser monopoly, you need some critical mass of users (hint: all the world's geeks put together probably don't reach critical mass).
and undoubtedly the answers will be "well, they *should* be on MSN Vacation Photo Server" and "a firewall is a security device invented by Microsoft, which you can buy here."
does the justice department know about your delayed-ignition poo technology?
as tempting as that may be, you should continue to engage them by provide bare-necessity support, while taking the opportunity to talk up gnu/linux.
if there is hope, it lies in the proles.
i fully understand that - of course there are many brilliant people ignorant about technology. i consider "stupid" to be shorthand for "ignorant and/or uncaring about technology and related social issues."
the only problem with your argument is that it makes no sense.
these changes that you call "positive" are not particularly useful in themselves, and they're simply tactics in a larger effort to maintain their monopoly. they're adopting some of the techniques of their hipster arch-rivals so they don't look so corporate and square, but it's about as sincere as any other marketing effort. have you noticed that stealth marketing is all the rage these days for breaking through to today's cynical youth culture?
don't be a sucker.
RMS appears disheveled at times, but i'm happy to report that he is squeaky-clean and odor-free.
and buy out virtually every emerging technology and use it to reinforce its monopoly. and attack the gpl and sow FUD in the minds of IT managers through shitty zombie corps. and prevent interoperability with patents. and purposely craft their monopoly OS so that it crashes competitors' software in other software markets. and not give a shit about security while making sure that each software release has enough whirling lights and colors to mesmerize their idiotic consumer base into ponying up for another upgrade.
microsoft sucks donkey-dick in so many ways it's hard to count. that's why you hear a lot of bitching on /. about them, not any other reason.
What exactly are you talking about? Are they supposed to buy everyone a teddy bear?
i agree with you on this one. i'm amazed by how many people say stuff like "microsoft only cares about one thing - money!". no duh, dipshit.
Microsoft made computing mainstream and gives most consumers exactly what they want. Isn't that kind enough?
microsoft was great a decade ago. i had respect for them and i liked their products. but that was then, and this is now. they have long worn out their welcome, and they're fucking up computing in general by virtue of their size and megalomania.
Only on /. can Microsoft contribute a product to sourceforge and be bashed for it.
microsoft "contributing" to SF is about as positive as some jerkoff "contributing" a turd into a public pool. their only purpose is to insinuate themselves into a thriving computing space that has nothing to do with MS and stink the place up.
i couldn't give a rat-fuck whether or not they do something out of kindness. i DO care about the awful things they're doing in order to maintain their stifling monopoly, including perverting standards, underhanded business deals, attacks-by-proxy on F/OSS, and locking consumers who are too stupid to know any better into proprietary technology.
too bad. i'm sick of everything MS does, and i like to talk about it.
In Montreal, it will run you $150.
cool! lessee... $150 per hour... so the cost to a typical slashdotter would be $1.86!
evoting seems an ideal candidate for promoting awareness for F/OSS. why haven't i heard anything about F/OSS on the news stories / analyses of this issue?
Take THAT you socialist european ninnies! Further proof that only the free market can drive innovation and meet consumer demand! Don't worry, I'm sure it will make its way across the pond in a couple.. huh? what? THEY'VE got it first?? Dammit.
well no, they're not ALL bad. some are suitable for sex, and at the very least the others are worth the value of their constituent minerals and whatnot.
i was thinking "funny". for the sake of completeness, though, i'll post this so you can all mod as flame-bait something that deserves it (again, delivery, not content):
i think religious people are totally fucking bat-shit insane.
hehehe. no shit - that jesus christ torture movie (whatever it was called) must have gotten out recently.
The humor-impaired taskforce seems to be out in force tonight.
actually, the delivery may have been (attempted) humor, but the sentiment was sincere :-)
...i think this is really a huge rorschach test in disguise. some people look at the aerial photographs and see an ark. me, i see a gigantic vagina.
(making circling motions with finger near temple): Cukoo...! Cukoo...! Cukoo...!
The winner learns "daddy will do everything for me" and the other kids learn "i will never be good at anything"!
no, seriously - DO watch Dr Strangelove. one of my favorite movies of all time. i made myself a sweatshirt and t-shirt with Dr Strangelove's picture on it.
how about my ex-girlfriend?
bitch.
and after we figure that out, please dear god let us focus all this brain-power on solving the chronic switching of a's and e's in slashdot posts...