I have read every issue of your monthly letter since you started publishing it (have always enjoyed them). Early on your view about Java vs. Windows was very clear. But since those few letters two years ago you really haven't talked about the status/future of Windows (on PCs) very much. I was interested in your view specifically as to how Windows (on the PC) is doing in this Internet world we now live in.
For example, we now have small web-based apps such as Hotmail and PlanetAll available for free for consumers. How come we haven't seen a web-based word processor (or spreadsheet) on the web yet? Will it ever happen? If so, when? (it's been four years!)
My programmer friends in certain Internet companies tells me that Java is taking a long time to mature and it's not going to impact Windows's growth/sales (on the PC) for a long time to come. Would you disagree?
Yes, Java will be in small devices in the next 24 months, but will it ever have a chance of "bring down" Windows (and Office) one day? If so, when will the inflection point come?
Also, your letters are great for understanding the changes that are occurring in network infrastructure (IP, optics, etc). Would be great if you could also pick up coverage of those "pure" Internet companies (Yahoo, Amazon, LinkExchange, DoubleClick, etc etc).
Now that the infrastructure is in place (or will be soon), developments in e-commerce should be an amazing thing to watch going forward. (for example, talk about Verisign, shift of advertising dollars to the web, etc)
> I have written two reports on Java in the last five months,
> giving an update which reveals Java's 89.5 percent marketshare
> for critical web applications in companies with less
> than 100 employees and dramatic global gains in smart cards,
> settop boxes, and cellphones. My reports are available
> at www.gildertech.com, along with a forum. |
