And suddenly we discover that Microsoft has built "revoke" codes into XP. They lose the antitrust suit, and Bill, Steve, Craig get on a plane to Bermuda. Just before leaving they issue a "revoke" on all the XP licenses out there in the world, and 50 million copies of XP stop working all at once.
And people wonder why product activation is a "Bad Thing".
Remember when M$ were the good guys and everybody hated IBM? Tech Press about M$ was always glowing and compared to IBM very favorably. At the time IBM was trying to needlessly obsolete technologies and break backwards compatibility, or otherwise push expensive licensing of propritary technologies onto (mostly business) and institutional users. M$ was the hero. You got decent compatibility and support at a decent price.
No one thought IBM could be toppled, but they were. They didn't go away, and probably never will with what are possibly the best computer research and development labs in the world, but they were unseated from the throne, mostly due to their own arrogance.
15 years later, it may be Microsoft's turn. They'll never go away, but they can certainly be unseated. I don't think the OS will matter so much anymore in 10 years time. If the DOJ succeeds in keeping internet standards open (and 'standard'! ) there will most likely be a half dozen OS's that can run the same software (java, XML... etc etc based) in a concept similar to the way browsers currently work. Write once read anywhere is coming. Increases in computational power will make platform specific coding largely irrelevant. Flavors of Unix, linux, and their ilk will run on/underpin most platforms, and software will be much more interchangeable than it is today.
M$ can pull Windows if it wants to, but so what. I bet that most Apps could be re-written in short order in an open-source effort. Besides Chinese pirates can keep us all waist deep in cracked bootleg WinXP for the next decade at least.
Systems manufacturers have a heads up. Big companies that could take advantage of an M$ lull exist. If Windows were pulled, IBM would instantly switch to linux for its personal PC's. Corel would have a very complete OFFICE alternative ready to go in short order. Adobe would certainly jump on-board.
They can pull it if they want to, but they'd only hurt themselves because this is an eventuality for which the major players are already preparing.
isn't walmart already planning to sell computers with no Os installed?? maybe bestbuy will too...then compusa....then Dell....it would be funny if the judge called BG's bluff...don't think he would pull the os, and if he did, suddenly so many people would see that it didn't matter...their computers would still work and new Os's would pop up to take over...BG doesn't want people to know that the emperior has no clothes...g
I just hope Steve? and crew have put the finishing touches on 'X-on-x86'.
And can you imagine the scene if Steve? walked into the room immediately after billy made the threat, and said "Don't worry boys, we've got you covered!" then did a demo of OS X on an AMD-based DP system.
I think if M$ nuked Winblows, then people would suddenly see Apple, and we would have a lot of Mac converts. Linux would be another choice, but I think most people would look towards the Mac for their next computer. Suddenly 90% of the market would be Mac users!!
<strong>Ever, notice how when the subject os a windows alternative comes up so many people (even on this forum) immediately offer up Linux?
Why not OS X?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
most pc users see anything mac related as _______(insert degrading words here)
linux is free...its stable...fast....efficant...and a bunch of other good things...if windows is pulled(yea right) then linux will most likely become the choice of big business, maybe schools as well. the consumers would probably start to switch to macos because apple is doing a good job with the publicity lately(though commercials would be nice)
and the bitter windows zealots would all switch to linux simply because they can't back down on saying that they would never use macos.
I think that this is a greater threat to software companies and game companies....especially ones that don't make mac products.
Well, won't Microsoft look silly when the Justice Department calls their bluff? <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Another idle threat, but it actually hurts MS more than it helps. They want to create a little uncertainty, instability in the markets to show that they're too important to screw around with. But the act itself is an abuse of their monopoly. Actually, it's probably the first outright abuse of their monopoly this whole time!
<strong>Linux the choice for schools??? HAHAHA! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
A 3rd grader using Linux.... riiiight. Maybe in computer science departments and many areas of higher ed, but in K-12, forget it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
sorry I should have been more clear...I was thinking more in college/university type stuff...and for college networks and stuff...I wasn't thinking K-12 because thats mostly mac anyway.
<strong>Ever, notice how when the subject os a windows alternative comes up so many people (even on this forum) immediately offer up Linux?
Why not OS X?
</strong><hr></blockquote>
One letter and two numbers: x86. It's the dominant processor and the parts are cheaper. All the available computers that currently run windows could run linux, not OS X. Switching OS's within a platform is much easier and cheaper than switching to PPC from x86.
Of course, then people would see how not ready for primetime that Linux is and switch to macs. So, it'll all work out in the end.
Most Windows users HATE Macs. They see them as totally inferior computers, toys, garbage.
Typical response I get from people when I tell them my lab is all Mac: "That sucks!".
Apple has their work cut out for them, no matter what happens to Micro$oft. Their first task is to turn OS X into a totally bitchin' OS...then word will get out, and perhaps a buzz will begin about it in IT departments, and then hopefully Apple's reputation will improve. But for now, Apple's reputation is not good enough to unseat Micro$oft in any way. If Windows disappeared tomorrow, Apple STILL wouldn't be able to grow their marketshare into the double digits. That sad fact is that too many people hate Macs with a passionate fury.
As for Windows, sure, M$ could pull it, but they won't. The Dubya justice department is not going to do anything that will harm M$ or M$'s investors. Don't even dream of it...this turned into a show-trial the second the supreme court handed the election to Dubya, and M$ has NOTHING to worry about. Any settlement will be crafted for maximized public relations, and it will most likely benefit M$ in some way that is not obvious to most people.
Bush lifts the sanctions on the legal production of hemp...imagine that...making it legal to grow a plant that can provide thousands of uses and materials naturally (this is the non smokable kind).
Dupont and all the chemical companies would crap in their pants...
You guys have to know this pulling of Windows will never happen. It's just a distaction until they can think of something better. But, ...........it would be cool if it did.
Unfortunately the cost that companies would have to handle that goes with retooling all at once could be a problem and I'm not sure how this affect the economy.
However we now have a company who says they can break the law and if you don't like it we will cause you a major problem ( or ruin your struggling business ). This situation can not stand. In the end I think some hardship would be better than allowing this situation to continue. MS may have just shot themselves in the foot. Nobody will like this.
<strong>Apple STILL wouldn't be able to grow their marketshare into the double digits.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I seriously doubt most "statistics" that say that M$ has 90% or more of the market share. I have a strong suspicion that there is some "catch" to those statistics, or that it involves things like licenses, which computer manufacturers may have but are not necessarily being used by someone on a machine. The number of Macs actually being used right now is close to or about the same as the number of PCs actually being used - think about it.
Comments
And people wonder why product activation is a "Bad Thing".
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
No one thought IBM could be toppled, but they were. They didn't go away, and probably never will with what are possibly the best computer research and development labs in the world, but they were unseated from the throne, mostly due to their own arrogance.
15 years later, it may be Microsoft's turn. They'll never go away, but they can certainly be unseated. I don't think the OS will matter so much anymore in 10 years time. If the DOJ succeeds in keeping internet standards open (and 'standard'! ) there will most likely be a half dozen OS's that can run the same software (java, XML... etc etc based) in a concept similar to the way browsers currently work. Write once read anywhere is coming. Increases in computational power will make platform specific coding largely irrelevant. Flavors of Unix, linux, and their ilk will run on/underpin most platforms, and software will be much more interchangeable than it is today.
M$ can pull Windows if it wants to, but so what. I bet that most Apps could be re-written in short order in an open-source effort. Besides Chinese pirates can keep us all waist deep in cracked bootleg WinXP for the next decade at least.
Systems manufacturers have a heads up. Big companies that could take advantage of an M$ lull exist. If Windows were pulled, IBM would instantly switch to linux for its personal PC's. Corel would have a very complete OFFICE alternative ready to go in short order. Adobe would certainly jump on-board.
They can pull it if they want to, but they'd only hurt themselves because this is an eventuality for which the major players are already preparing.
Why not OS X?
<img src="confused.gif" border="0">
And can you imagine the scene if Steve? walked into the room immediately after billy made the threat, and said "Don't worry boys, we've got you covered!" then did a demo of OS X on an AMD-based DP system.
I should write a movie...
<strong>Ever, notice how when the subject os a windows alternative comes up so many people (even on this forum) immediately offer up Linux?
Why not OS X?
most pc users see anything mac related as _______(insert degrading words here)
linux is free...its stable...fast....efficant...and a bunch of other good things...if windows is pulled(yea right) then linux will most likely become the choice of big business, maybe schools as well. the consumers would probably start to switch to macos because apple is doing a good job with the publicity lately(though commercials would be nice)
and the bitter windows zealots would all switch to linux simply because they can't back down on saying that they would never use macos.
I think that this is a greater threat to software companies and game companies....especially ones that don't make mac products.
Another idle threat, but it actually hurts MS more than it helps. They want to create a little uncertainty, instability in the markets to show that they're too important to screw around with. But the act itself is an abuse of their monopoly. Actually, it's probably the first outright abuse of their monopoly this whole time!
A 3rd grader using Linux.... riiiight. Maybe in computer science departments and many areas of higher ed, but in K-12, forget it.
<strong>Linux the choice for schools??? HAHAHA! <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
A 3rd grader using Linux.... riiiight. Maybe in computer science departments and many areas of higher ed, but in K-12, forget it.</strong><hr></blockquote>
sorry I should have been more clear...I was thinking more in college/university type stuff...and for college networks and stuff...I wasn't thinking K-12 because thats mostly mac anyway.
[ 03-04-2002: Message edited by: Wrong Robot ]</p>
<strong>Ever, notice how when the subject os a windows alternative comes up so many people (even on this forum) immediately offer up Linux?
Why not OS X?
One letter and two numbers: x86. It's the dominant processor and the parts are cheaper. All the available computers that currently run windows could run linux, not OS X. Switching OS's within a platform is much easier and cheaper than switching to PPC from x86.
Of course, then people would see how not ready for primetime that Linux is and switch to macs. So, it'll all work out in the end.
Typical response I get from people when I tell them my lab is all Mac: "That sucks!".
Apple has their work cut out for them, no matter what happens to Micro$oft. Their first task is to turn OS X into a totally bitchin' OS...then word will get out, and perhaps a buzz will begin about it in IT departments, and then hopefully Apple's reputation will improve. But for now, Apple's reputation is not good enough to unseat Micro$oft in any way. If Windows disappeared tomorrow, Apple STILL wouldn't be able to grow their marketshare into the double digits. That sad fact is that too many people hate Macs with a passionate fury.
As for Windows, sure, M$ could pull it, but they won't. The Dubya justice department is not going to do anything that will harm M$ or M$'s investors. Don't even dream of it...this turned into a show-trial the second the supreme court handed the election to Dubya, and M$ has NOTHING to worry about. Any settlement will be crafted for maximized public relations, and it will most likely benefit M$ in some way that is not obvious to most people.
Off topic but it came to mind....
Bush lifts the sanctions on the legal production of hemp...imagine that...making it legal to grow a plant that can provide thousands of uses and materials naturally (this is the non smokable kind).
Dupont and all the chemical companies would crap in their pants...
Unfortunately the cost that companies would have to handle that goes with retooling all at once could be a problem and I'm not sure how this affect the economy.
However we now have a company who says they can break the law and if you don't like it we will cause you a major problem ( or ruin your struggling business ). This situation can not stand. In the end I think some hardship would be better than allowing this situation to continue. MS may have just shot themselves in the foot. Nobody will like this.
(sorry I was watching too much Law and Order last night)
Mac Guru
<strong>Apple STILL wouldn't be able to grow their marketshare into the double digits.</strong><hr></blockquote>
I seriously doubt most "statistics" that say that M$ has 90% or more of the market share. I have a strong suspicion that there is some "catch" to those statistics, or that it involves things like licenses, which computer manufacturers may have but are not necessarily being used by someone on a machine. The number of Macs actually being used right now is close to or about the same as the number of PCs actually being used - think about it.