Mark, Well I have been expecting some better numbers as well, as you might have read from my posts.
I would love to see an OS appear that would run all the MSFT apps and make him compete. MSFT has a 95% profit margin on Win95(for every $100 they get $5 is expenses) since most OEMS bulk load and print their own books, and all MSFT ships to them is a hologram sheet and a CD, and maybe a thin book.
MSFT is a classic oppressive monopoly. The public tends not to see this as they see the low costs and universality as boons. But not the splinter OS people like OS2, Apple, Unixes, etc. Once MSFT got the OS standard it then started to roll up the rest of the market in all directions. Gates needs to have MSFT split into three companies, with him keeping the Windows company, but all Apps should be independent as all hardware should be as well.. The developers see this all too well. get a new idea and nexy thing you know it is in the next version of Windows and your market goes poof.
I am no friend of MSFT, but a realist who sees them as the defacto standard. They are using their money to run down many parallel pathways at the same time and I expect they look for all new tech situations and buy them or copy them and see how they do. They are often wrong, as the MSN shows(what a pushy dog, I tried and hated it instantly, MSN=Moron Software Network) Only an absolute goon would like it. SHows you what Gates thinks of the rest of us.
Gates is trying and looking at all tims to find what will kick MSFT on its ass, and get there first, so he and his company are no fools.
Jobs allows more of his own personality to rule him, and he will miss the big one because he did not like it(the "Not invented here" syndrome). Gates is more open to innovation and has the money to let many things start and run to see if they are good future options.
Gates also allows good advisors to differ with him and flourish. Not Jobs. Differ with him and you are toast.
Bill |
