From: Mike '/m' 

On Tue, 04 Feb 2003 15:02:29 -0500, Richard B.  wrote:

>On Tue, 04 Feb 2003 11:35:50 -0500, Mike '/m'  wrote:
>
>>Unfortunately for Microsoft, once they start selling cross-platform apps in
>>a significant manner, they lose the strategic keystone upon which they have
>>built their empire:  using the operating system (and its interfaces) to
>>control, stifle and otherwise inhibit the development of innovative,
>>competing technology.
>
>Like I said, opportunity in adversity. ;-)
>
>Do you think they will drive the company into the ground before they
>come to their senses. Now I know that is a loaded question for you
>with a short, burning fuse but...think we'll see Office for Linux
>(current version) with a year or two?
>
>I just can't imagine that Wall Street is going to be happy with all
>the alternative revenue sources to be had just tso MS can monopolize a
>single platform.




>Now I know that is a loaded question for you
>with a short, burning fuse but...think we'll see Office for Linux
>(current version) with a year or two?


One year? no
two years? possibly


But I think that is really only the superficial question.   Every
successful Microsoft product has been built upon leveraging Microsoft's
control of the desktop.   If that control is lost, will Microsoft be able
to compete in a less tilted marketspace?

In other words, does Microsoft know how to compete in an even playing
field.  From what I've seen, I'd say they do not.

 /m

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-4