Where I find your assertions naive is in that myopic view of yours that MSFT is evil and is stifling innovation.
I havent worked for a software company yet that didn't cancel or curb an innovative product because Microsoft either moved into or announced plans to move into the market.
Often, Microsoft never moved into the market (an example: high end project management software) but just by using its leverage kept competitive products out of the market.
Do you think companies don't have investors that they have to answer to? You know when Microsoft announces, for instance, that they are going to do a PDA version of windows, investors in competitive products get cold feet. Even if Microsoft never actually does it. (I'm talking about "Windows for PEn" which was announced 10 years before Windows CE ever shipped.... but killed the early PDA market because investors pulled out of some great companies producing pen based devices.)
The belief that Microsoft "just wants to innovate and the people who disagree are just competitiors who couldn't compete" is VERY naive. Of course, its what Microsoft wants you to think. But if this were true, you would be able to name many innovative technologies (of any significance) that Microsoft has developed. Can you name a single one?
The truth is, Microsoft is a criminal organization and has broken the law many times- copyright law (stealing sources from Stac, Apple, etc.) Trade Practices (restraint of trade, per-cpu-licensing which is still going on, etc.), Fraud (not honoring refund clause of EULA) etc, etc, etc.
However, they have been very profitable at doing this and I understand you are happy with the appreciation in your MSFT, and want to see it continue. (It will if they get away with it- now that Office is dominant, they are raising its price very quickly!)
Just don't delude yourself into thinking this is an ethical company. Your gains are ill gotten.
Microsoft has destroyed the software industry, and ruined the lives of far more good people than, say, OJ Simpson.
Dragonfly |
