Marcie, ASP.NET Blogger Girl
To put it in context, however, that article is at least a year old (it's (c) is 1998-2002) and some of the links contained therein are from 1998 (5 years old!) That's a long time for things to change. That's not to say the article isn't rediculous (it is), or that it isn't misleading. Just trying to point out that it's an old viewpoint.
Mike, The website (http://www.kmfms.com) seems to be somewhat regularly maintained (march 6, 2003), hence the article most likely reflect the authors current views. It's sad... And thanks a lot for posting this link, Marcie! Now I'm bound to lay awake the night through, composing "killer arguments" against the article in my head. Blah! ;-)
Yes, some of the stuff is 5 years old ... but nothing has changed at Microsoft... I still crash constantly (rarely with non-MS software, interestingly enough)... when my kid is out of school I will be giving away all MS based software/hardware, buy Linux and NEVER use/work with a Microsoft product again, I would rather starve than spend the rest of my like working with this crap....
Strange, I constantly hear these complaints about MS software not working, and for the most part I don't see it. I have used Windows for years now and don't have the issues with it that others seem to. Maybe I am using it incorrectly . . . ;P
I'm an on-the-fence kind of guy. There is no black or white, absolute right or wrong, only tastes great or only less filling. Does Microsoft use some underhanded techniques to become rich and powerful? Yep. Is that the way the capatalist free market economy is set up to reward? Yep. I don't blame them for becoming rich and powerful, I applaud them! ...and use Linux and PHP. While Microsoft has put out some good, userfriendly product (say what you will about Linux being better, but until RedHat 8 a couple of years ago, Windows has been the most userfriendly OS/GUI out of the box since the early 90's. That's good business,) they could be doing it more fairly and with better quality. And the best way to encourage that, is to have good quality competition. BeOS and Linux have finally started to become competition in the MAINSTREAM everyday Joe-blow user market, which while I like being an elitest geek, the mainstream market is where the money and power's at...for a business...which Microsoft is.
I don't know why people pick so much in Microsoft. If there are really that many people that don't like Microsoft products, how come its apps are still the ones used in a majority of businesses anfd homes. If the "free" software/ apps are as good as people said they are, how come those are not the ones being used by the masses. Just my point of view.
People pick on Microsoft because we grew up on Star Wars and despise empires. If you're rich and powerful, you must be evil. HOWEVER, what most people don't know is there IS truth to Microsoft using very strong-armed tactics to force itself onto the harddrives of every new PC up until a couple of years ago. They use rather shady tactics to gain market share for their applications, and buy out or crush most of their competition so that they're the only name you think about for OS's and Office applications. Again, that's capatalism, and bully for them for using the free market system to become rich and powerful. But until recently, that's the big reason you haven't seen alternatives is because of their draconian business practices. The masses aren't using things like Linux because until recently no one's marketed to the masses, and even if they did, the masses wouldn't be able to use it. RedHat 8 was really the 1st desktop user-friendly OS. And now you are finding Linux as an OS option on new PC's and on shelves of Best Buy...places where until a couple of years ago Microsoft has been able to control through economic force. And I gaurentee you that with more press, RedtHat 10 and Open Office will start to become competition now that competition is being grugingly allowed by MS.
You know I hear things about how microsoft does not play fair and uses "Strong-armed tactics" and "shady tactics" to further it's market shares, but what no one wants to answer is: What major coroporation does not use "Strong-armed tactics" and "shady tactics"? Are you saying that Citi, Cisco, Intel, McDonalds, etc all play fair? Do none of these or any other corporations not do the same things? But I'll bet you still purchase things from them or use their services. The list above is just a small list of places I pulled off the top of my head. There are thousands more that play the same way. Think about cable companies. When you move into an area that has say Time Warner cable you pay for the hook-up and watch their channles. But who else can you get to provide your service for cable? No one. You could of course get Satellite but then you have to make sure you can put up the dish and if your in an apartment you can't. But if you push the cable company they will eventually tell you that you can get service from anyone you wish. Oh but one fact they don't tell you is that that company can't use their lines. But then no ones bitches about the cable company until their network connection is down or their cable goes out. It's not a monopoly until it affects you, right?
Fellow Programmers, Do not spend/waste your time in this discussion. These criticisms are totally biased. No body ever questioned sun for bringing OMG into picture when OSF/DCE already exists. No body bothered about copycat naming conventions such as JSP, JDBC, JDO etc. Those who know even a bit of statistics and finance, do not dare to criticize charities of Gate's foundation as tricks to increase its marketing. All these companies play political/litigious tricks and follow the age old rubbish rule: If you can not become an angel, be a devil so that you can be noticed.