Does it mean that JAVA is in fact a direct threat to Microsoft?
Certainly, Java is the most serious threat Microsoft has seen to date. And, while there are things that can happen that will derail Java (like the introduction of something bigger and better), it certainly will play a significant role in IT for the next few years. As to whether Rod is right--well, I don't think anyone here has argued with Rod that Java isn't likely to have a significant role. The principal argument with Rod has had to do with whether Java is the solution to all problems, which it isn't, and when this is likely to occur, which is still up in the air (no significant product to date is Java-based--those who have tried have failed). At any rate, over the coming couple of years, Java will become a significant and workable language -- but not without a lot of revision along the way.
If so, then what is Microsoft likely to do to counter this, and how will that ultimately affect Borland?
Microsoft screwed up a year or more ago, in its belief that it could not be defeated. It made the same basic mistake Kodak (and many other companies with near monopolies have) made over the years. This is good news for Borland because Borland continues to put forth better products than Microsoft, and Borland is now competing with MSFT on turf where quality matters. When you're dealing with the average consumer/end user, you can sell crap and get away with it (just ask McDonald's) -- which MSFT has done for years (look at Access as a perfect example). But when your end users are pros, it is tougher to get by with selling crap. Today, pros are starting to move to Borland for its superiority--and MSFT is devoid of products that can compete in a serious way with the likes of Delphi, J Builder, & C++ Builder; now with all this new stuff, I believe MSFT is totally losing control of the languages business. This, I might add, is what put them on the map in the first place, long before MS-DOS made its debut.
Seems to me that this a pretty important issue to the long-term viability of Borland.
I believe Borland is going to end up with the tools market. But MSFT will continue to make its billions in applications. |
