To: Dwight E. Karlsen who wrote (7671 ) 5/19/1998 7:43:00 PM From: Hal Rubel Read Replies (3) | Respond to of 74651
Perspective on Integration RE"There is a point where I can see the argument about integration." I Agree: If there were several operating system firms out there stimulating development by gobbling up software companies to integrate acquired products into their systems, we would have a very beneficial technical and economic environment. So, I guess that I would have to say that I could like the Idea of program functional integration into the operating system. It could have been a win/win/win situation for developers, system-houses, and for consumers alike. However, the idea just does not sit quite right for me when there is only one system house on a platform. Especially when that system-house seems to integrate only in-house products to the exclusion of outside developers. With the Intel platform monopoly revenues that we have rewarded them with, Microsoft has exhibited little need for outsiders. They seem to duplicate innovation in due course, rather than innovate spontaneously, thus slowing down the pace of progress. I think that this factor may be one of the costs to society of cultivating a monopoly situation in the name of operating system uniformity. What price, uniformity? Did we take a wrong turn somewhere on the path to the future? HR PS: An example - Why has it taken so long for the Windows product to come the labored distance it has in the last 10 years?! What I think I see is an energetic but desperate holding action with a reluctance to innovate, except in self-defense. (I'm thinking W98 here.) Where is that spark and sense of dynamic urgency every one else in the computer industry seems to be endowed with?