I disagree with your belief that Microsoft will begin to dominate the Intranet/Internet and destroy Netscape. Many people in this forum are
bashing Netscape. Brown Brothers & Harriman recently initiated Netscape coverage with a long-term underperform. Netscape will have well over a billion dolllars in annual sales within the next three years. Will this stock underperform into the new millenium, I think not.
The operating system as we know it will become a thing of the past. I have a 166 Pentium with 32 megs Ram and a 2 meg video board. Windows 3.1 is still too slow. Windows 95 is even slower on one of my friend's 166 Pentium. Apple/Bandai, Sony, Sega, and Nintendo are all readying systems which allow Internet access through your T.V. without the need for a computer. Other companies will follow. Eventually, games, productivity applications, and collaboration will allbe done over networks without the need for a closed, non-democratic computer system.
Microsoft certainly may be a player. I know that Netscape will be their in spades. Don't underestimate Netscape. They are very young with a strong, focused vision. Comparing Mark Anderseen with the IBM's, Lotus's, Apple's, and WordPerfect's of the past is truly laughable. The beauty of Netscape's vision is that computer systems and networks should be truly open to allow all individuals and companies to take advantage of the Internet/Intranet in ways they feel are best. This is truly democratic. Contrast this to Microsoft's Orwellian vision of doing it big brothers way or not at all.
Isn't it about time the industry breaks away from the constraints from an underproductive, proprieary sytems approach to computing and embraces a truly open system with the flexibility to meet the needs of each individual user and company. This time will come soon. For all those spewing lies about the browser software wars. Netscape's latest browser is clearly superior to Microsoft's.
I guess Microsoft will never stop copying other peoples ideas. They certainly don't have any of their own. For example, Microsoft's foray into computer gaming is pathetic. Bill Gates does not like computer games. The only reason Microsoft is developing games is to make money. I also believe that Bill Gates does not like the Internet/Intranet. The only reason he is in it is to make more money and to protect Microsoft's franchise. Mr. Gates would certainly prefer a straight-jacket world where only Microsoft exists. |
