Like Internet Explorer is deliberately stunted to make web applications look slow and clunky. But once a critical mass is reached and people see the alternative

Like Internet Explorer is deliberately stunted to make web applications look slow and clunky. But once a critical mass is reached and people see the alternatives outside the microsoft ecosystem (chrome in the browser, neooffice etc on mac) People end up realising that MS are just really bad in environments that they do not control, whether this is on purpose or not at that point really ceases to matter. For the record, I think it's a bit of both, why invest in attaining mastery in products you directly compete with, it makes sense to half ass your effort to cast the platform in the most negative light possible. And before apple zealots get too self righteous on this issue, I offer iTunes on windows as exhibit A as to why those in glass houses ought not be throwing stones.