That's a great business point which doesn't generally occur to developers who believe the world is a simpler place where good and bad software is created, but intentions are always sincere.
The internet is a killing blow for MSFT's business model, because it devalues all their proprietary assets. And when MSFT relents a bit to the internet and tries to play along, it does this with the same business model that sells software with closed standards (Silverlight)or is protected by patent (.net).
The browser represents a piece of software that enforces neither of these business model components that MSFT absolutely depends on, and it represents the door to computer interaction. This is really bad for MSFT as it exists today. MSFT will be a very different company 20 years from now, but I don't expect it will change without a serious fight given what's at stake. We shouldn't be surprised if MSFT engages in some practices which might be anathema to anybody just expecting a good software product from a company with substantial resources.
The internet is a killing blow for MSFT's business model, because it devalues all their proprietary assets. And when MSFT relents a bit to the internet and tries to play along, it does this with the same business model that sells software with closed standards (Silverlight)or is protected by patent (.net).
The browser represents a piece of software that enforces neither of these business model components that MSFT absolutely depends on, and it represents the door to computer interaction. This is really bad for MSFT as it exists today. MSFT will be a very different company 20 years from now, but I don't expect it will change without a serious fight given what's at stake. We shouldn't be surprised if MSFT engages in some practices which might be anathema to anybody just expecting a good software product from a company with substantial resources.