is the tide turning against Microsoft?

[octane]

This could be the slowing of the juggernaut that is Microsoft.

Article from The Register:

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A fast-growing number of small and medium-sized firms are deeply concerned about being hooked on Microsoft technology and depending too heavily on the software giant's products and services...

 

[Randman]

People have been saying that for years.

 

[Captain Code]

They say that a lot, but no one usually does anything about it

 

[octane]

They say that a lot, but no one usually does anything about it

Things are different this time.

Businesses are wary of buying too much into Microsoft, viral infection, hacks and cracks against Windows are rising along with prices, TCO and the adoption of Linux.

Instead of going one-on-one with Microsoft, the big guys have all rallied under one flag this time; Linux.

Although the American government were a little toothless in their attempt to reign Microsoft in [the legal equivalent of a slapped hand] Europe are keen to make an example of them [hidden agendas not withstanding]

Various governments worldwide are going open source. Microsoft aren't getting their own way with the mobile phone market in Asia and especially Europe. Ditto for on-line music .. the list goes on.

It's not going to happen overnight, and Microsoft aren't going to disappear overnight either, but I'm confident that consumers and businesses are growing tired of the same stuff making the same problems for higher prices every year.

Let's face it, the worst case scenario for Microsoft is that the government comes back for a second go and kills Windows. Microsoft still have a huge software portfolio that they can move over to Linux, mac and still be the largest ISV in the world...

 

[Randman]

Consumers and businesses will follow along, just as always. Worse case is M$ is declared a monopoly and is forced to break up. That could hurt the Mac platform as well if the Mac BU is ripped asunder.

 

[btoth]

Windows won't be going away anytime soon no matter how bad it (and Microsoft) get, your average computer user isn't going to switch from Microsoft as long as:

1. PC are dirt cheap (granted they're crappy PCs, but the average user doesn't know the difference until they have a problem)
2. Windows comes on said dirt cheap PCs

Even when you could get Linux computers from some stores, the average user is not going to buy one or switch to Linux any more than they would switch to Mac.

Windows software takes up 90% of the shelf space in a software store (or 100% if the store doesn't carry Linux and Mac software). If you can't buy the software you want, you can't play the games your friends are playing on their PCs, etc. why bother? I bought my first PC after two Macs because I needed to be compatible with high school and wanted to play games.

Windows is a lot easier than Linux to setup, install software on, and manage - even with it's known issues. Your average user is not going to want to learn crazy UNIX commands to do simple tasks. Windows95 was what got non-techy people looking at PCs, no one was interested when they ran DOS.

While businesses are starting to wise up to MS BS and stupid liscensing policies, the average user will contiue to use what is convienent, cheap and marketed the best.

 

[octane]

Windows won't be going away anytime soon no matter how bad it (and Microsoft) get, your average computer user isn't going to switch from Microsoft...

I don't think Linux is going to cut it on the desktop. Whatever ambitions Linux may have, the desktop is an almost unattainable goal.

But I still feel sure that Microsoft are going get hurt by all of this. The rot will begin at the edges rather than at the middle; like the server market, corporate / enterprise et cetera.

The purpose of the average pc is changing, Bill Gates is making a play for the 'digital hub' by talking about it in such a way that you'd think he invented the concept.

The very fact that Microsoft are having to create a specific version of Windows to deal with this new mode of computing is telling. Microsoft don't know what to do, where to go or what people want .. so they're shoveling everything in their and hoping for the best.

The average pc isn't being bought just to word process or work up a spread sheet, there's more savviness on the part of the consumer. The consumer is becoming more and more aware of the issues and dangers of viruses, hacks, cracks and plain old instability. All of these problems stemming almost exclusively from Windows and it's inherent inadequacies.

That said, the debacle that is Longhorn [read: Longyawn], Microsoft really aren't helping themselves at all...

 

[powermac]

I agree, Windows won't be going anywhere soon. Although, I know many of my PC friends (are they truly friends), are looking Apple's way. Apple is definitely on a major high currently. The Apple stores allow people to see Mac and related products in action. For me, this is the best advantage of having the Apple stores. Many non-Mac people thought the Mac was some obscured product. People now can go into the store, play with the product.
Second, I feel, people are tired of M$ and is useless updates. Of all the people I know who use winxp, a few are really satisfied. They express the cumbersome feeling navigating files and folders, two-three steps to complete tasks, and the user interface as disappointments.
I can't speak for the business use of PCs.

 

[octane]

For me, this is the best advantage of having the Apple stores. Many non-Mac people thought the Mac was some obscured product. People now can go into the store, play with the product.

This is better that any number of front-page adverts or television slots in major us sports events. This is hands-on, high-visibility stuff...

Of all the people I know who use winxp, a few are really satisfied.

Although anecdotal, a lot of pc users find Windows XP patronizing and child-like. And as my friend often refers to it: telytubbyfied!

That said, Microsoft are seeing a fractious Windows market with all of the various flavors of Windows making a mess of their marketing figures...

I can't speak for the business use of PCs.

Many businesses haven't moved up from Windows 98 yet! Most will settle into Windows 2000 and quite a few won't even look at Windows XP and might just skip it all together and go straight to Windows Longhorn .. or better still, OS X and see how things 'just work(tm)'..