(I'd like to move this reply here
from another thread.)
the problem is, you're not using OpenOffice. |
Yeah, I forgot that 2004 is gonna be the "Year for Desktop Linux". And OpenOffice v3 isn't going to suck. And KDE 4 will totally put the nail in Microsoft's coffin. I can't wait!
[...] the boys at Redmond decided to pull the rug from under many users [...] |
"Mainstream support for Office 2003 application ends in April 2009 and extended support ends in January 2014."
[WP] I think Microsoft would extend those dates further if there was market pressure to do so. That's a reasonable amount of time to work out your issues with Office 2007 (which is very customizable, BTW), or switch to a competing product. And you can always just continue using it and get your support somewhere else, like you do with open-source software. Your criticism of Office 2007's features may be valid, but the phrase I've quoted is an overreaction.
[...] some boys at Google could get the Google Docs stuff up to snuff in a jiffy [...] |
Google will not be able to knock Microsoft out because there's nothing particularly special about Google when it comes to desktop applications, and most types of browser-based apps as well. Their key assets all have to do with getting millions (yes, millions!) of search servers to crunch data better / faster / cheaper than their competition. Most of their revenue comes from ads, which are very easily to bypass; heck, you can even search through proxy and never even give them your IP! Even Google's browser is based on open-source technology, which means if their AdWords code gets annoying people can just switch to another fork. They have a lot of talent and capital, but they still have a lot of work to do before they can even dream of catching Microsoft. Within the context of the current market offerings, they'd need to merge with Adobe (key asset: Flash) and maybe even Apple to have a shot.
Microsoft has a full product stack, and their products all complement each-other. Office benefits from Windows, Visual Studio, Exchange, IIS, SQL Server, IE / Silverlight, and so on. An average fifth-grader uses Microsoft products (X-Box, Windows, IE, Works, Live, etc) several hours a day, while even if they use Google they only stay on their site a few seconds. This gives Microsoft tremendous advantage in getting their hooks into their users: not just for speculative ad revenue, which can dry up if with a new fad that blocks Google's ads, but also for licenses bought with hard cash. The open source movement actually benefits Microsoft, by making mediocre products that hurt their would-be competitors while they're still in larval stages of development, but don't hurt Microsoft because is has the R&D capital to stay ahead, whether that means software or services or hardware or whatever else. (The history of
Nokia dates back to a paper mill!)