4 ms·

You (and plenty others) need to stop anthropomorphizing Microsoft and painting them as some kind of single sentient entity. The reason they can be unpredictable

by dtf 17y ago

You (and plenty others) need to stop anthropomorphizing Microsoft and painting them as some kind of single sentient entity. The reason they can be unpredictable is because they're so freaking huge. Even the strategy on their own products doesn't make any sense most of the time.

ghshephard 17y ago
Microsoft has a pretty consistent record of trying to leverage their strength to stay on top. Remember, there are real human beings who do this (Gates, then Ballmer) - It's not anthropomorphizing when it's a _human_ behavior we are talking about. Remember - Linus and Crew's itch is mostly about writing excellent software. Microsoft's itch is about dominating the competition, sometimes by embracing-extending-and-extinguishing standards, and sometimes by engaging in illegal monopolistic behavior: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm "412. Most harmful of all is the message that Microsoft's actions have conveyed to every enterprise with the potential to innovate in the computer industry. Through its conduct toward Netscape, IBM, Compaq, Intel, and others, Microsoft has demonstrated that it will use its prodigious market power and immense profits to harm any firm that insists on pursuing initiatives that could intensify competition against one of Microsoft's core products. Microsoft's past success in hurting such companies and stifling innovation deters investment in technologies and businesses that exhibit the potential to threaten Microsoft. The ultimate result is that some innovations that would truly benefit consumers never occur for the sole reason that they do not coincide with Microsoft's self-interest. "
- anupj 17y ago
  I agree, Microsoft sometimes deserves the wave of hatred, because it has on more than one occassion tried to stifle competition.

by dtf 17y ago

ghshephard 17y ago

Microsoft has a pretty consistent record of trying to leverage their strength to stay on top. Remember, there are real human beings who do this (Gates, then Ballmer) - It's not anthropomorphizing when it's a _human_ behavior we are talking about. Remember - Linus and Crew's itch is mostly about writing excellent software. Microsoft's itch is about dominating the competition, sometimes by embracing-extending-and-extinguishing standards, and sometimes by engaging in illegal monopolistic behavior: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/cases/f3800/msjudgex.htm "412. Most harmful of all is the message that Microsoft's actions have conveyed to every enterprise with the potential to innovate in the computer industry. Through its conduct toward Netscape, IBM, Compaq, Intel, and others, Microsoft has demonstrated that it will use its prodigious market power and immense profits to harm any firm that insists on pursuing initiatives that could intensify competition against one of Microsoft's core products. Microsoft's past success in hurting such companies and stifling innovation deters investment in technologies and businesses that exhibit the potential to threaten Microsoft. The ultimate result is that some innovations that would truly benefit consumers never occur for the sole reason that they do not coincide with Microsoft's self-interest. "

anupj 17y ago
I agree, Microsoft sometimes deserves the wave of hatred, because it has on more than one occassion tried to stifle competition.