4 ms·
Sadly, here's another possible trajectory - (1) MS "partners" with Xobni; (2) Xobni busts a hump for two more years getting some corporate adoption; (3) MS intr
by projectileboy 19y ago
Sadly, here's another possible trajectory - (1) MS "partners" with Xobni; (2) Xobni busts a hump for two more years getting some corporate adoption; (3) MS introduces "MS-obni", an inferior yet similar product; (4) corporate IT departments everywhere dump third-party Xobni for MS version; (5) Xobni dies a bitter and lonely death.
I don't mean to be a downer, but if I was a Xobni guy, this would keep me awake at night.
- mixmax 19y agoLarge corporations always try to buy you before they try to bake their own. The risk is smaller. I wouldn't start worrying until I said no to an offer from Microsoft.
- projectileboy 19y agoWell... There are a lot of third-party software houses that crashed and burned in the '90s and '00s whose stories look exactly like what I outlined. And MS didn't always offer a bag of cash before opening fire.
- deleted 19y ago[deleted]
- anewaccountname 19y agoI think you are blatantly ignoring the entire history of Microsoft.
- neilc 19y agoYeah, exactly. Although the recent Yahoo temporary insanity might suggest that MS is taking a new approach to competing in the web market.
- aston 19y agoDo you have any evidence? Microsoft buys tons of companies, including those competing with internal products. LookOut is a great example, and one that's relevant given the current discussion of Outlook plugins.
- cstejerean 19y agoAgreed. I would be suspicious of any "partnership" offers from Microsoft. Especially if my product was closely tied to something like Outlook. Next thing you know MS Office whateverthefuck edition comes out and has the functionality built-in.