it throttles network bandwidth when you play media files! I think there might be more to fixing the performance than you think. Like a completely crappy design, bottom to top. I'd look for them to doll up WinXP SP3 and call it Windows 7. Heck, it's been listed that XP is 2x faster than Vista on the same computer so consumers might get suckered but businesses are not going to fall for this kind of crapware. IMO.
too bad 90% of consumers are too naive to know what's going on and they take the new computers with WinVista pre-loaded. I've seen it happen a dozen times now and even when I warn away from Vista because of compatibility issues and poor performance, they don't put the effort into finding a system with WinXP. they just get WinVista and suck it up.
THAT is how Microsoft continues to steamroll their crapware into the market. I don't think two dozen announcements like this thread will change things. The people taking what is forced on them have no clue and don't read these kinds of things. The standard press isn't going to cover this and the OEM's are forced under contract to put WinVista on. Even look at the XP-reversioning, the systems much come with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate before they'll let you pay another $30 or so for the XP-reversion disk(s). The couple of systems I've seen had Vista Home on them so no XP-Reversion option except purchasing a new copy of XP and going from scratch. The steamroller keeps on rolling. IMO.
but they are willing to spend decades losing money( 10's of billions of dollars ) doing nothing but protecting their 3 cash cows( MS Windows, MS Office, MS Server ). They have failed almost completely at growing their business outside of profits from those 3 product lines and lost billions of their shareholders money doing so. Microsoft is a dinosaur and why institutions have not started shoveling out Microsoft stock over the last 8 years is amazing and it just goes to show you how dumb about technology the money managers are. All that crap about a new version of MS Windows making Microsoft billions more was/is dumb because WinVista is just another preload just like WinXP and Win2k were before. Microsoft can't start charging any, or much more for it either. They need the preloads of WinVista to also force upgrades of MS Office and other software but because they have saturated the market, there's no really new market to sell to and they are just changing the name of the sale.
Microsoft is a publicly held company but they are failing at returning value to their shareholders. And the run-up over the last year will fall before too long because there are no new profits from any business other than their big three profit makers. none, only losers and Google is forcing them to spend billions more in more attempts to keep idiots thinking Microsoft is the great software innovator and those will, like before, result in billions in losses. History is my witness. IMO.
Yes, it's 2007( almost 2008 ) and it was ONLY the mid 80's when I first experienced what could be called as an Operating Systems 101 class and in that scenario, it was discussed how userspace and kernel space are highly separate spaces and managed by access ID's throughout the operating system design. So wow, only 20+ years and Microsoft still attempting to get its half-baked version of this built into its OS? And they are thinking making this information public is a good thing?
Microsoft only "sells well" because they are master marketeers with a monopoly. That's essentially the snake oil salesman of the old west who just happens to be the Sheriff too. And he's got a big gun he's proven he's willing to use.
And yes, "better security is better for the community" and THAT is exactly why everyone should stay away from Microsoft. They are not out to make security better or to make their product better, they are out to take your money and will do so using any trick in the book. It just so happens that the internet and Linux have get the tech industry's attention because of security and reliability( being based on UNIX ) benefits they've shown. Microsoft would drop security as a PR ploy in a heartbeat if it wasn't used as a means to migrate off of Windows. IMO, Microsoft's existence since the late 80's has done nothing but harm consumers of computing systems by putting out some of the worst designed software ever built and by crushing incredibly talented developers business opportunities because of perceived threats to their monopoly. They have a history of selling crap-ware and any amount of publishing materials by Microsoft paid consultants isn't going to make anybodies computing experience better in the long run. Just look at ObjectSharp as a business and you'll see that they bypass all non-Microsoft technology to be their stool pigeon. You can't say THAT is a trusted source when they deny their customers the benefit of alternate technologies because they've become a Microsoft 'partner'.
Happy Monday and yes, Microsoft still sucks no matter how they've spun it over 25+ years. IMO.
They are a marketing company for goodness sake. This was obviously the job of a new hire attempting to provide marketing material to show who Microsoft cares about security. His/her supervisor obviously over looked this persons ability to spin up a good story. As you noted, the mock-up room was very poorly done.
Didn't Bill Gates declare essentially, 'Mission Accomplished', when they shipped Windows 2000? You know, saying it was the most secure version of Windows. Then again when Windows XP shipped and the grand finale when he declared Windows Vista as the most secure OS available. That's right, not the most secure version of Windows, but the most secure OS available!
Is he retiring from Microsoft to run for President? He's got the ethics to do so. IMO.
There was one bag of corn chips and a bag of pretzels. This is how a billion dollar company prepares to supply their security response team for all-nighters? shaking my head... They probably have an 24/7 dinning area like Google has but then again, the caption was just silly given the contents shown.
you are leaving out a whole lot of other costs and BTW, I'm talking about Microsoft, not Apple. It's not new that Microsoft is still losing money on Xbox and it's still a distant 3rd place in the total console market. For an example of how Microsoft is willing to lose money on a product to make sure the 'other guy' doesn't succeed, they once paid AT&T a cool $5 billion to use 5 million copies of Windows CE on set top boxes.
As far as the Zune goes, a similar trick can be used, and is likely to be used. They could provide marketing incentives to those who prominently promote and exclusively sell MS Zune. they could also provide the product at a cut rate price so the reseller really has incentive to push the product over all others.
IMO, there is no question Microsoft loses money on most of their products except the big three monopoly products. It's been in the quarterly statements for decades. Things like the mobile platform division losing ~$250 million quarterly was quite common. they've got better at burying the numbers in biannual reorganizations but the massive losses are still there.
I wonder how many billions Microsoft plans to lose on this turkey? Billions lost over the life span of WindowsCE has purchased them a strong hold of the PDA market but is giving them problems in the SmartPhone market with Nokia's Symbian and Linux stalling that effort.
Anyways, it isn't a surprise that Microsoft is dumping billions into this product and suckers are picking it up. It's not like they don't have the cash to dump on this and we all know there are millions of suckers willing to pick up a Microsoft product because it's cheap.
The only thing of interest here is how many billions Microsoft is willing to lose to gain market share against Apple. They've crossed over the $10 billion mark to kill Palm about 4 years ago. But it's a laugh when the press talks about WinCE, PocketPC, Windows Moble, etc being a good product line for Microsoft. So if you're a MSFT investor, Zune will be a massive loser too. IMO.
MS Office was on the States radar but when they joined with the DOJ, MS Office being dropped was a requirement for the combining of the cases. IIRC, it was Microsoft who asked/required that MS Office get dropped for a combined case to go forward. I always thought it was foolish to drop that since it being a monopoly in its own right and being so tied to MS Windows, well, it just makes it part of the perpetual nature of the Windows monopoly. Can't get rid of Windows because we need MS Office, can't get rid of MS Office because.doc is used everywhere.
Also, I just that much changing with respect to Microsofts marketshare. Sure WinVista sucks but like WinXP and Win2k before it, after about 2 years for it being forced onto OEM machines, business cycles eventually start the uptake. Linux and OSS is growing because of it's cost and flexible nature of OSS in the hands of people who know how to use it. Not because Windows Vista sucks. As far as security goes, many businesses have found the dozen or so reenforcement apps required to surround Windows and make it somewhat secure to use. Those people don't want change because they just figured out how to stabilize what they have. Bringing in cheap Linux and OSS boxes are much easier than the rip-replace requirements of Vista. But hey, maybe the slow growth of Linux and OSS will become an awareness of less need for Microsoft and decaying Windows boxes will get replaced with Linux/OSS boxes on the desktop too. I just don't see it happening now. Too many IT manager zombies running around saying they'll buy it only if it's got the Microsoft name on it. Way too many too ignorant to know their jobs are on the line by staying with Microsoft because of the costs. Way too many believe nobody ever gets fired for chosing Microsoft. IMO.
historically, it has taken about 2 years before enough forced preloads takes the 'lastest' Microsoft OS enough marketshare that businesses cave and start deploying. This has been the case for Win2K and WinXP and I too don't see this changing. No matter how loudly people complain, Microsoft has lock-in deals with OEMs and Windows Vista is what people get. Just try to find a new PC or laptop with XP and not Vista.
Microsoft's monopoly and policies will keep its profit machine moving forward and they'll continue to use those profits to block other products/vendors from bringing more advanced and innovative ideas to the mass market. It is in their history and in their blood to operate this way for about 20 years.
It blows me away how naive people continue to be with regards to Microsofts history of plowing their latest OS onto the market and keeping it there.
there is no GPS currently built into the iPhone but the AT&T mobile transceivers do have them. And that data could be used with other information to triangulate a better resolution.
but when you go with Microsoft, you don't have much choice since they control the upgrade cycle. Sure you can keep fighting them for a year or two but eventually, you can't get the older OS even if you wanted to go without service updates. And that goes for all other Microsoft software too. This is because Microsoft requires you to upgrade and keep sending them money and they do not want you to just keep using what is working for you now.
Atleast with OSS, not only do you have the right to continue using the old stuff, you can keep the code around too. You control your upgrade cycle.
As you mentioned, many times upgrading is done for no good reason. Most of the time, it's done because Microsoft has a hammer over your head making it difficult to stay where you are if you have any kind of growth. IMO.
Maybe they just mesh the IMEI number with location data provided by the GPS and/or AT&T to give you weather information based on where you are located at the time. Ever seen the ad where Google is used to find local eating joints? Don't know about you but I did not see any kind of location information getting entered and so some kind of location info is getting used.
And you know that every ISP keeps records on what phones ping what cell towers and your ISP( AT&T ) already is known to have been very willing to hand out cell records.
So get a pre-paid phone at Walmart if you want to limit your track-ability. After all, getting a "smart" phone from Apple with all the locked down and tied to Apple features isn't a clue that they just might track things? I hope you don't touch anything running Microsoft code.
Microsoft's history is full of software engineering flaws and anybody who continues to use their products in a critical tool is playing a fools game. Microsoft's #1 goal is not technical excellence and never has been. And I'm not saying that Microsoft is the only one to do badly at software engineering, it is just that they are so good at doing it repeatedly.
BTW, remember when LAX was shutdown for hours and there were a few in-flight near misses because the LAX Comm system went down? That was because they used Windows 98 to run that COMMs system and it had a flaw which caused it to crash after something like 38 days. IIRC, this flaw was only found something like 3 years after Win98 shipped and goes to show you how unreliable Microsoft operating systems are. Nobody could keep it running for over 38 days for over 3 years. And then, some bozo decided to base a rewrite of a UNIX based air traffic COMM system on Microsoft Windows....
IMO, the Princeton guys were idiots for picking Microsoft "technology" for this project.
sorry but Microsoft most likely didn't buildin the HD-DVD in the Xbox because it was not available when the Xbox 360 was released. It's an add-on now. Also, Microsoft is a great marketing company and knows that by adding even another $100 to the Xbox 360 price, it loses alot of marketshare. Something Microsoft can't do since they are only in this business in attempts to take Sony down a notch since they are the dominant player. Yes, the PS2 still rules the roost and Nintendo is 2nd while Microsoft is 3rd in total marketshare of game consoles. Microsoft must get to a strong 2nd place before they have much/any control of the market/vendors.
Sony has limited it's growth of the PS3 by adding the Blueray device but they must figure in the larger picture of what it means to have the dominant disk format along with keeping control of the game console market.
So, saying that Microsoft isn't backing HD-DVD because they didn't include it in the Xbox 360 is nuts IMO. Plus, didn't Microsoft have a few of it's PC "partners" put out press releases a year or so ago stating how great the HD-DVD was and that they and Microsoft were fully behind it? The things I've seen in the market lead me to believe that Microsoft is #2 behind pushing HD-DVD and only 2nd to Toshiba, the creator of HD-DVD.
did you even look/google? This info has been public for a few months now and was even discussed on/. It was admitted by Paramount that they took money and IIRC, there were some DreamWorks payouts too. Spielberg refused to by a part of it.
they original poster didn't lie, it's all out there for you to find and it's pretty current. And remember, Microsoft is betting and backing HD-DVD and with their history of payola, you can bet comfortably their hands are dirty. IMO.
Microsoft Windows CE, the core and former name of their "Windows Mobile" product line is just over 10 years old IIRC and they've posted publicly about $10 billion in losses to that division.
I guess only a monopoly can classify such a money pit as a success. But then again, that would be standard operating procedures for a marketing company and THAT is really the primary focus of the Microsoft monopoly. It's obvious that technology and solutions is not the focus, just the tool. IMO.
oh, and so Balmer calls Google's announcement a "press release" by doing a press release. How cute. BTW, any public word(s) from Balmer and gang are press releases if you've not caught on yet.
Slashdot Mirror
it throttles network bandwidth when you play media files! I think there might be more to fixing the performance than you think. Like a completely crappy design, bottom to top. I'd look for them to doll up WinXP SP3 and call it Windows 7. Heck, it's been listed that XP is 2x faster than Vista on the same computer so consumers might get suckered but businesses are not going to fall for this kind of crapware. IMO.
LoB
too bad 90% of consumers are too naive to know what's going on and they take the new computers with WinVista pre-loaded. I've seen it happen a dozen times now and even when I warn away from Vista because of compatibility issues and poor performance, they don't put the effort into finding a system with WinXP. they just get WinVista and suck it up.
THAT is how Microsoft continues to steamroll their crapware into the market. I don't think two dozen announcements like this thread will change things. The people taking what is forced on them have no clue and don't read these kinds of things. The standard press isn't going to cover this and the OEM's are forced under contract to put WinVista on. Even look at the XP-reversioning, the systems much come with Vista Business or Vista Ultimate before they'll let you pay another $30 or so for the XP-reversion disk(s). The couple of systems I've seen had Vista Home on them so no XP-Reversion option except purchasing a new copy of XP and going from scratch. The steamroller keeps on rolling. IMO.
LoB
Sure, that's all well and good for a public face but we all know they really use Xenix behind all that Windows dressing. ;-)
LoB
Sounds like a good way to get Vista in a VM for free and torture it in any way shape and form you like. Honeypot anyone?
LoB
but they are willing to spend decades losing money( 10's of billions of dollars ) doing nothing but protecting their 3 cash cows( MS Windows, MS Office, MS Server ). They have failed almost completely at growing their business outside of profits from those 3 product lines and lost billions of their shareholders money doing so. Microsoft is a dinosaur and why institutions have not started shoveling out Microsoft stock over the last 8 years is amazing and it just goes to show you how dumb about technology the money managers are. All that crap about a new version of MS Windows making Microsoft billions more was/is dumb because WinVista is just another preload just like WinXP and Win2k were before. Microsoft can't start charging any, or much more for it either. They need the preloads of WinVista to also force upgrades of MS Office and other software but because they have saturated the market, there's no really new market to sell to and they are just changing the name of the sale.
Microsoft is a publicly held company but they are failing at returning value to their shareholders. And the run-up over the last year will fall before too long because there are no new profits from any business other than their big three profit makers. none, only losers and Google is forcing them to spend billions more in more attempts to keep idiots thinking Microsoft is the great software innovator and those will, like before, result in billions in losses. History is my witness. IMO.
LoB
Yes, it's 2007( almost 2008 ) and it was ONLY the mid 80's when I first experienced what could be called as an Operating Systems 101 class and in that scenario, it was discussed how userspace and kernel space are highly separate spaces and managed by access ID's throughout the operating system design. So wow, only 20+ years and Microsoft still attempting to get its half-baked version of this built into its OS? And they are thinking making this information public is a good thing?
Microsoft only "sells well" because they are master marketeers with a monopoly. That's essentially the snake oil salesman of the old west who just happens to be the Sheriff too. And he's got a big gun he's proven he's willing to use.
And yes, "better security is better for the community" and THAT is exactly why everyone should stay away from Microsoft. They are not out to make security better or to make their product better, they are out to take your money and will do so using any trick in the book. It just so happens that the internet and Linux have get the tech industry's attention because of security and reliability( being based on UNIX ) benefits they've shown. Microsoft would drop security as a PR ploy in a heartbeat if it wasn't used as a means to migrate off of Windows. IMO, Microsoft's existence since the late 80's has done nothing but harm consumers of computing systems by putting out some of the worst designed software ever built and by crushing incredibly talented developers business opportunities because of perceived threats to their monopoly. They have a history of selling crap-ware and any amount of publishing materials by Microsoft paid consultants isn't going to make anybodies computing experience better in the long run. Just look at ObjectSharp as a business and you'll see that they bypass all non-Microsoft technology to be their stool pigeon. You can't say THAT is a trusted source when they deny their customers the benefit of alternate technologies because they've become a Microsoft 'partner'.
Happy Monday and yes, Microsoft still sucks no matter how they've spun it over 25+ years. IMO.
LoB
coward, Gates didn't say "consumer OS" and didn't say "consumer desktop OS", he said it was the most secure OS.
So eat me.
LoB
Ziggo was pretty cool and VERY effective, it just didn't look mean. Diesector just has that look of kick-ass.
LoB
They are a marketing company for goodness sake. This was obviously the job of a new hire attempting to provide marketing material to show who Microsoft cares about security. His/her supervisor obviously over looked this persons ability to spin up a good story. As you noted, the mock-up room was very poorly done.
LoB
Didn't Bill Gates declare essentially, 'Mission Accomplished', when they shipped Windows 2000? You know, saying it was the most secure version of Windows. Then again when Windows XP shipped and the grand finale when he declared Windows Vista as the most secure OS available. That's right, not the most secure version of Windows, but the most secure OS available!
Is he retiring from Microsoft to run for President? He's got the ethics to do so. IMO.
LoB
There was one bag of corn chips and a bag of pretzels. This is how a billion dollar company prepares to supply their security response team for all-nighters? shaking my head... They probably have an 24/7 dinning area like Google has but then again, the caption was just silly given the contents shown.
LoB
you are leaving out a whole lot of other costs and BTW, I'm talking about Microsoft, not Apple. It's not new that Microsoft is still losing money on Xbox and it's still a distant 3rd place in the total console market. For an example of how Microsoft is willing to lose money on a product to make sure the 'other guy' doesn't succeed, they once paid AT&T a cool $5 billion to use 5 million copies of Windows CE on set top boxes.
As far as the Zune goes, a similar trick can be used, and is likely to be used. They could provide marketing incentives to those who prominently promote and exclusively sell MS Zune. they could also provide the product at a cut rate price so the reseller really has incentive to push the product over all others.
IMO, there is no question Microsoft loses money on most of their products except the big three monopoly products. It's been in the quarterly statements for decades. Things like the mobile platform division losing ~$250 million quarterly was quite common. they've got better at burying the numbers in biannual reorganizations but the massive losses are still there.
LoB
especially if they're in a truck which looks like this: ;-)
http://www.lilligren.com/Redneck/images/redneck_limo_4.jpg
LoB
http://www.mutantrobots.com/html/diesector.html
;-)
And when it comes bearing down on a pickup truck full of bad guys, it should have a camera in the jaws to capture that "kodak moment".
I wonder how many billions Microsoft plans to lose on this turkey? Billions lost over the life span of WindowsCE has purchased them a strong hold of the PDA market but is giving them problems in the SmartPhone market with Nokia's Symbian and Linux stalling that effort.
Anyways, it isn't a surprise that Microsoft is dumping billions into this product and suckers are picking it up. It's not like they don't have the cash to dump on this and we all know there are millions of suckers willing to pick up a Microsoft product because it's cheap.
The only thing of interest here is how many billions Microsoft is willing to lose to gain market share against Apple. They've crossed over the $10 billion mark to kill Palm about 4 years ago. But it's a laugh when the press talks about WinCE, PocketPC, Windows Moble, etc being a good product line for Microsoft. So if you're a MSFT investor, Zune will be a massive loser too. IMO.
LoB
MS Office was on the States radar but when they joined with the DOJ, MS Office being dropped was a requirement for the combining of the cases. IIRC, it was Microsoft who asked/required that MS Office get dropped for a combined case to go forward. I always thought it was foolish to drop that since it being a monopoly in its own right and being so tied to MS Windows, well, it just makes it part of the perpetual nature of the Windows monopoly. Can't get rid of Windows because we need MS Office, can't get rid of MS Office because .doc is used everywhere.
Also, I just that much changing with respect to Microsofts marketshare. Sure WinVista sucks but like WinXP and Win2k before it, after about 2 years for it being forced onto OEM machines, business cycles eventually start the uptake. Linux and OSS is growing because of it's cost and flexible nature of OSS in the hands of people who know how to use it. Not because Windows Vista sucks. As far as security goes, many businesses have found the dozen or so reenforcement apps required to surround Windows and make it somewhat secure to use. Those people don't want change because they just figured out how to stabilize what they have. Bringing in cheap Linux and OSS boxes are much easier than the rip-replace requirements of Vista. But hey, maybe the slow growth of Linux and OSS will become an awareness of less need for Microsoft and decaying Windows boxes will get replaced with Linux/OSS boxes on the desktop too. I just don't see it happening now. Too many IT manager zombies running around saying they'll buy it only if it's got the Microsoft name on it. Way too many too ignorant to know their jobs are on the line by staying with Microsoft because of the costs. Way too many believe nobody ever gets fired for chosing Microsoft. IMO.
LoB
Just what we need, more people in movie theaters jerking their phones around with the sound of balls rolling around.
LoB
historically, it has taken about 2 years before enough forced preloads takes the 'lastest' Microsoft OS enough marketshare that businesses cave and start deploying. This has been the case for Win2K and WinXP and I too don't see this changing. No matter how loudly people complain, Microsoft has lock-in deals with OEMs and Windows Vista is what people get. Just try to find a new PC or laptop with XP and not Vista.
Microsoft's monopoly and policies will keep its profit machine moving forward and they'll continue to use those profits to block other products/vendors from bringing more advanced and innovative ideas to the mass market. It is in their history and in their blood to operate this way for about 20 years.
It blows me away how naive people continue to be with regards to Microsofts history of plowing their latest OS onto the market and keeping it there.
LoB
there is no GPS currently built into the iPhone but the AT&T mobile transceivers do have them. And that data could be used with other information to triangulate a better resolution.
LoB
but when you go with Microsoft, you don't have much choice since they control the upgrade cycle. Sure you can keep fighting them for a year or two but eventually, you can't get the older OS even if you wanted to go without service updates. And that goes for all other Microsoft software too. This is because Microsoft requires you to upgrade and keep sending them money and they do not want you to just keep using what is working for you now.
Atleast with OSS, not only do you have the right to continue using the old stuff, you can keep the code around too. You control your upgrade cycle.
As you mentioned, many times upgrading is done for no good reason. Most of the time, it's done because Microsoft has a hammer over your head making it difficult to stay where you are if you have any kind of growth. IMO.
LoB
Maybe they just mesh the IMEI number with location data provided by the GPS and/or AT&T to give you weather information based on where you are located at the time. Ever seen the ad where Google is used to find local eating joints? Don't know about you but I did not see any kind of location information getting entered and so some kind of location info is getting used.
And you know that every ISP keeps records on what phones ping what cell towers and your ISP( AT&T ) already is known to have been very willing to hand out cell records.
So get a pre-paid phone at Walmart if you want to limit your track-ability. After all, getting a "smart" phone from Apple with all the locked down and tied to Apple features isn't a clue that they just might track things? I hope you don't touch anything running Microsoft code.
LoB
Microsoft's history is full of software engineering flaws and anybody who continues to use their products in a critical tool is playing a fools game. Microsoft's #1 goal is not technical excellence and never has been. And I'm not saying that Microsoft is the only one to do badly at software engineering, it is just that they are so good at doing it repeatedly.
BTW, remember when LAX was shutdown for hours and there were a few in-flight near misses because the LAX Comm system went down? That was because they used Windows 98 to run that COMMs system and it had a flaw which caused it to crash after something like 38 days. IIRC, this flaw was only found something like 3 years after Win98 shipped and goes to show you how unreliable Microsoft operating systems are. Nobody could keep it running for over 38 days for over 3 years. And then, some bozo decided to base a rewrite of a UNIX based air traffic COMM system on Microsoft Windows....
IMO, the Princeton guys were idiots for picking Microsoft "technology" for this project.
LoB
sorry but Microsoft most likely didn't buildin the HD-DVD in the Xbox because it was not available when the Xbox 360 was released. It's an add-on now. Also, Microsoft is a great marketing company and knows that by adding even another $100 to the Xbox 360 price, it loses alot of marketshare. Something Microsoft can't do since they are only in this business in attempts to take Sony down a notch since they are the dominant player. Yes, the PS2 still rules the roost and Nintendo is 2nd while Microsoft is 3rd in total marketshare of game consoles. Microsoft must get to a strong 2nd place before they have much/any control of the market/vendors.
Sony has limited it's growth of the PS3 by adding the Blueray device but they must figure in the larger picture of what it means to have the dominant disk format along with keeping control of the game console market.
So, saying that Microsoft isn't backing HD-DVD because they didn't include it in the Xbox 360 is nuts IMO. Plus, didn't Microsoft have a few of it's PC "partners" put out press releases a year or so ago stating how great the HD-DVD was and that they and Microsoft were fully behind it? The things I've seen in the market lead me to believe that Microsoft is #2 behind pushing HD-DVD and only 2nd to Toshiba, the creator of HD-DVD.
LoB
did you even look/google? This info has been public for a few months now and was even discussed on /.
It was admitted by Paramount that they took money and IIRC, there were some DreamWorks payouts too. Spielberg refused to by a part of it.
they original poster didn't lie, it's all out there for you to find and it's pretty current. And remember, Microsoft is betting and backing HD-DVD and with their history of payola, you can bet comfortably their hands are dirty. IMO.
LoB
Microsoft Windows CE, the core and former name of their "Windows Mobile" product line is just over 10 years old IIRC and they've posted publicly about $10 billion in losses to that division.
I guess only a monopoly can classify such a money pit as a success. But then again, that would be standard operating procedures for a marketing company and THAT is really the primary focus of the Microsoft monopoly. It's obvious that technology and solutions is not the focus, just the tool. IMO.
oh, and so Balmer calls Google's announcement a "press release" by doing a press release. How cute. BTW, any public word(s) from Balmer and gang are press releases if you've not caught on yet.
LoB