I agree completely. As background, Microsoft has a long history of touting compatibility, however the reality is that of intentionally broken formats. The result is users go with "whatever everyone else has," even if it is a horrible product. Think back to Excel vs Lotus 1-2-3, Word vs Word Perfect, IE vs Netscape, Microsoft Java vs Sun Java. There are many more. In each example, the newly introduced MS product starts out to be compatible with the market leader. As time goes by, the MS format diverges slightly so that the user of the competitor's product eventually has to capitualate and purchase the MS product in the name of compatibility. The intentionally broken formats are an effective strategic business decision.
Slashdot Mirror
Microsoft will own Disney in eight, no make it seven years.
I agree completely. As background, Microsoft has a long history of touting compatibility, however the reality is that of intentionally broken formats. The result is users go with "whatever everyone else has," even if it is a horrible product. Think back to Excel vs Lotus 1-2-3, Word vs Word Perfect, IE vs Netscape, Microsoft Java vs Sun Java. There are many more. In each example, the newly introduced MS product starts out to be compatible with the market leader. As time goes by, the MS format diverges slightly so that the user of the competitor's product eventually has to capitualate and purchase the MS product in the name of compatibility. The intentionally broken formats are an effective strategic business decision.