<a) Content- Yep, it's an expensive "investment" for Microsoft all right. But when you're trying to push the envelope, you gotta be willing to spend the cash. Was the Fox network profitable in its first year (for that matter, is it profitable now?) How about CNN? I digress.>
The problem is, Microsoft is trying to compete with the Internet. Sway users to MSN through content? Are they kidding? Not even MSFT's billions are enough to build content that can compete with the net. MSN is for public relations only. It is one very expensive piece of MSFT marketing, and it isn't nearly effective as their traditional marketing (because few bother to use it - the net content is much more compelling). MSN is a billion dollar sink-hole (one more nail in the coffin).
<They souped up IE3 in a big way to make the MSN browser. You can't download it. You have to subscribe. It's sorta like the AOL integration of the browser, but they've done a quite a bit more. Lotsa sound and animation, dynamic controls, interactivity and whatnot.>
This is 100% B.S. (totally incorrect). All of that stuff on MSN is done using ActiveX. Nothing different about the browser.
<c) Market share- Have you tried the Mac version of IE 3? This version should eat significantly into Netscape's heretofore unchallenged Mac dominance as the only game in town.
Mac users don't like MSFT to begin with (MSFT threatens their baby, the Mac). Netscape is more solid on the Mac. ActiveX controls on the net (designed for WinTel) don't work with the Mac version of IE 3.0. IE 3.0 for the Mac is a joke. Go to a Mac thread on usenet and ask how many of them are using IE 3.0 -- you will be flamed into oblivion.
<d) IE 4- Although I would love to get my grubby paws on IE 4, there's really no reason for Microsoft to release it until Nav 4 comes out. Since all the reviews gave IE 3 the upper hand over Nav 3, why show your cards early? Bask in the glowing reviews, then strike back when the competitor releases something that claims to outdo you.>
Microsoft won't be releasing IE 4.0. It appears that since Netscape is being more secretive about it's strategies, MSFT has no one to copy off of. They have canceled the release of IE 4.0 (presumably so they can wait and copy ideas from Netscape). See:
zdnet.com
<e) standards- I see zero difference between Netscape and Microsoft's handling of openess and standards. The basic idea, for both companies, is this: Keep as much proprietary as you can get away with.>
Netscape only creates new standards when none exist that they can utilize for their purpose. If a standard already exists (i.e. SMTP, HTTP, LDAP, MIME, etc..), they use it. They guard their new standards with zeal until they secure market-share and then release them to a standards body. This is Netscape's strategy.
Microsoft creates new standards whenever it can, wether there exists current standards to do the same thing or not. If they could have replaced HTML, HTTP, JavaScript, etc.. they would have. They could not, because Netscape is the dominate player in Internet/Intranet markets and they have to remain compatible. But they are trying (is Exchange a POP/SMTP server? Only partially - to provide compatibility for sending and receiving Internet mail, you cannot use a standard POP/SMTP client with exchange). Are Microsoft Directory servers based on industry standards? How about their file sharing - is it based on NFS? How about their object technologies? Based on the superior CORBA architecture? NO. Microsoft attempts to hiest standards, make them proprietary and control all access points. It is rude.
<f) stock prices- Microsoft is pricey. I prefer P/E ratios to discounted cash flows. I won't touch it.>
Lawrence!! You finally said something that I agree with!!
-Dan |
