Toy,
It is exactly the night-day difference between 91 and now, and MSFT's continued success in spite of it, that led to my original comments. I believe in buying companies with good managements. MSFT has demonstrated their management acumen time and time again over the past few years. It is the management TODAY, which has proven itself over the years, which will continue to drive this compay and its stock. There are no guarantees that future success will continue, but I'm betting on it. They hire the best people, they incent them, and they know what they are doing.
You are confusing technology with marketing. While classified as a tech company, I think of MSFT as a marketing company. This may be the source of our difference of opinions. Superior marketing is nothing to take lightly. Look what it did for a certain brand of sugar water.
It will indeed be difficult for MSFT (or anyone) to force standards on anyone in the future. MSFT still has several things going for it in this regard, including:
- Installed base,
- The need for standards (yes, many people and organizations want them),
- Superior marketing. If many compete to set standards, who will win? The best technology, or the best marketer of "really good" technology? I know how I feel. I think I know how you feel. That's cool -- make your own decisions, and I'll happily make mine -- with my wallet.
Respectfully,
INTCfan |
