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The Windows monopoly allowed entrepreneurs to develop software for the largest unified computer user-base in the world. If we agree that the ultimate success o

by kirse 18y ago

The Windows monopoly allowed entrepreneurs to develop software for the largest unified computer user-base in the world. If we agree that the ultimate success of a software development business (or any for-profit business) is rooted in its ability to maximize net income, then how can you explain that multiple platforms and user-base fragmentation are beneficial to that ultimate goal? One massively unified market clearly has more income potential than several fragmented markets that individually require additional effort to enter. Also -- "because ordinary people used an OS hackers didn't use, and didn't want to write programs for." If hackers were too stubborn to build for the O/S that clearly had (and still has) market domination, then I would argue that they really were not entrepreneurs when they chose to overlook an obvious business opportunity. Edit: I hope this comment doesn't come off as abrasive, because it was not my intention. Please respond if you think if I've made a mistake in my argument.

pg 18y ago
The Windows monopoly allowed entrepreneurs to develop software for the largest unified computer user-base in the world. I wouldn't deny it. What I'm saying is that a unified user base is not nearly as important as rapidly evolving platforms. If hackers were too stubborn to build for the O/S that clearly had (and still has) market domination, then I would argue that they really were not entrepreneurs You're right about that too, though again, wrong about the bigger picture. Hackers aren't motivated mainly by money. When the only businesses you can start are boring or evil, they don't start businesses. But when they do start businesses, the fact that they're driven by curiosity and hope, rather than the mere desire to make money, causes them to create the fastest growing companies of all.

by kirse 18y ago

pg 18y ago

The Windows monopoly allowed entrepreneurs to develop software for the largest unified computer user-base in the world. I wouldn't deny it. What I'm saying is that a unified user base is not nearly as important as rapidly evolving platforms. If hackers were too stubborn to build for the O/S that clearly had (and still has) market domination, then I would argue that they really were not entrepreneurs You're right about that too, though again, wrong about the bigger picture. Hackers aren't motivated mainly by money. When the only businesses you can start are boring or evil, they don't start businesses. But when they do start businesses, the fact that they're driven by curiosity and hope, rather than the mere desire to make money, causes them to create the fastest growing companies of all.