Comments on: Note to Microsoft: You Need to Identify The Real Competition http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/ An industry analyst blog looking at software ecosystems and convergence Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:24:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Clinton Gallagher http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-396308 Clinton Gallagher Wed, 11 Jun 2008 17:29:49 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-396308 Microsoft's most serious competitor is apparently itself. The company is clearly its own worst enemy controlled by idiots totally disconnected with reality. Forget for a moment the company has developed the worst software program in the history of computer science: Internet Explorer. Forget for a moment the company has used its privledge granted by the marketplace to destroy the use of the web, destroying millions of small businesses who have been crippled and bankrupted by the trash that this company now sells. Let us take for example how Microsoft has a chance to get it all right so to speak but once again has chosen to destroy any hope of enabling a significant customer segment --developers-- from building businesses and jobs using Microsoft platform(s). There is no question that we are witnessing the emergance of tens of millions of devices which utilize the LCD RIA display as a platform; posters, menu systems, signs, photo frames, you name it. If it requires a display there are huge global markets emerging to utilize the LCD as a platform unto itself generating new business, new jobs and new wealth. Except Microsoft has apparently decided if possible it is going to subvert and choke the markets to death. Doing research indicates China manufacturers are now making display device platforms both passive and interactive at costs as low as $59.95 per device which is the --retail price-- I recently paid for a digital photo frame I use as a demo to sell SaaS hosted on the web which deploys content to passive and interactive digital display devices of various respective sizes. Currently and for the most part this huge emerging global market opportunity is comprised of passive slide shows. Touch-Screen interactivity with requires an OS has huge demand from customers of many market segments. Linux costs what to license? $0.00. Adobe Flash player now costs what to license? $0.00. So what do the Microidiots do? They rename Windows Embedded XP OS as Embedded Standard, enable the OS to run .NET and decide to demand $90 license fee for each device. That is $90 for each digital sign, eash digital poster, each digital picture frame and so on that our business once intended to deploy interactive content to using a Microsoft OS. However, as stated, that business is now clearly priced out of reach by the Microidiots. Customers wanting our web development services are now even balking about paying the higher website hosting fees imposed by those providing Windows hosting services. The open-source paradigm has upset the old price vs cost expense model. Who is going to pay $90 extra to display an interactive menu on each table at a restaurant for example when the hardware is as low as $59.95? The list of examples is practically endless. Microsoft has destroyed an entire emerging market with its insane demand for $90 per license per device. This company has clearly lost touch with reality. They have just slit the wrist of developers attempting to build business and jobs in the emerging disolay platform markets. They apparently expect us to sit back in the bathtub filled with their warm water marketing bullsh!t expecting the many small businesses to lay down and slowly bleed themselves to death $90 a drop. Microsoft has just run me out of business on their Windows platform and I have no intention on allowing this company to continue to bleed my company to death. I have customers and employees who depend on my decisions. I have a company and employees who depend on my decisions. My loyalty to bae my decision on Microsoft ended yesterday when I learned these idiots are demanding a $90 license fee for each LCD device I deploy. I'll keep myself registered with the Microsoft Partner Program all right but yesterday, I finally got serious about learning to install, configure, deploy and support Linux. I t won't take me as long as I once thought to adapt my C#/JavaScript development skills to utilize RoR with WebKit or some other paradigm. Microsoft’s most serious competitor is apparently itself. The company is clearly its own worst enemy controlled by idiots totally disconnected with reality.

Forget for a moment the company has developed the worst software program in the history of computer science: Internet Explorer.

Forget for a moment the company has used its privledge granted by the marketplace to destroy the use of the web, destroying millions of small businesses who have been crippled and bankrupted by the trash that this company now sells.

Let us take for example how Microsoft has a chance to get it all right so to speak but once again has chosen to destroy any hope of enabling a significant customer segment –developers– from building businesses and jobs using Microsoft platform(s).

There is no question that we are witnessing the emergance of tens of millions of devices which utilize the LCD RIA display as a platform; posters, menu systems, signs, photo frames, you name it. If it requires a display there are huge global markets emerging to utilize the LCD as a platform unto itself generating new business, new jobs and new wealth.

Except Microsoft has apparently decided if possible it is going to subvert and choke the markets to death.

Doing research indicates China manufacturers are now making display device platforms both passive and interactive at costs as low as $59.95 per device which is the –retail price– I recently paid for a digital photo frame I use as a demo to sell SaaS hosted on the web which deploys content to passive and interactive digital display devices of various respective sizes.

Currently and for the most part this huge emerging global market opportunity is comprised of passive slide shows. Touch-Screen interactivity with requires an OS has huge demand from customers of many market segments.

Linux costs what to license? $0.00. Adobe Flash player now costs what to license? $0.00.

So what do the Microidiots do? They rename Windows Embedded XP OS as Embedded Standard, enable the OS to run .NET and decide to demand $90 license fee for each device.

That is $90 for each digital sign, eash digital poster, each digital picture frame and so on that our business once intended to deploy interactive content to using a Microsoft OS.

However, as stated, that business is now clearly priced out of reach by the Microidiots.

Customers wanting our web development services are now even balking about paying the higher website hosting fees imposed by those providing Windows hosting services. The open-source paradigm has upset the old price vs cost expense model.

Who is going to pay $90 extra to display an interactive menu on each table at a restaurant for example when the hardware is as low as $59.95? The list of examples is practically endless. Microsoft has destroyed an entire emerging market with its insane demand for $90 per license per device.

This company has clearly lost touch with reality. They have just slit the wrist of developers attempting to build business and jobs in the emerging disolay platform markets. They apparently expect us to sit back in the bathtub filled with their warm water marketing bullsh!t expecting the many small businesses to lay down and slowly bleed themselves to death $90 a drop.

Microsoft has just run me out of business on their Windows platform and I have no intention on allowing this company to continue to bleed my company to death. I have customers and employees who depend on my decisions. I have a company and employees who depend on my decisions. My loyalty to bae my decision on Microsoft ended yesterday when I learned these idiots are demanding a $90 license fee for each LCD device I deploy.

I’ll keep myself registered with the Microsoft Partner Program all right but yesterday, I finally got serious about learning to install, configure, deploy and support Linux. I t won’t take me as long as I once thought to adapt my C#/JavaScript development skills to utilize RoR with WebKit or some other paradigm.

]]> By: jgovernor http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384577 jgovernor Thu, 29 May 2008 11:18:48 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384577 Dale - please do keep me posted. in fact i think i will call this afternoon.... Nick - OpenSolaris is interesting. Sun is a major client. the community is growing. GNOME is really solid. Why not be a contrarian? ;-) and i can run windows virtualised using VirtualBox Bill - great point regarding the future and new revenue streams but I also think its very important than Microsoft protects its traditional franchises- and Windows is it! That's where Apple can hurt- taking away existing revenues rather than taking away future ones. Roland- yes there is a simplicity at work here, but I think that simplicity reflects the mindset of Microsoft senior management. They are ultra determined to kill Google, but I believe that's focusing on the air war (futures, strategy) rather than the ground war (now, tactics). Re drivers its a really good point, but it was Microsoft that introduced an entirely new driver model for Vista, and it actually hasn't done a great job of supporting the 500x devices you mention Dale - please do keep me posted. in fact i think i will call this afternoon….

Nick - OpenSolaris is interesting. Sun is a major client. the community is growing. GNOME is really solid. Why not be a contrarian? ;-) and i can run windows virtualised using VirtualBox

Bill - great point regarding the future and new revenue streams but I also think its very important than Microsoft protects its traditional franchises- and Windows is it! That’s where Apple can hurt- taking away existing revenues rather than taking away future ones.

Roland- yes there is a simplicity at work here, but I think that simplicity reflects the mindset of Microsoft senior management. They are ultra determined to kill Google, but I believe that’s focusing on the air war (futures, strategy) rather than the ground war (now, tactics).

Re drivers its a really good point, but it was Microsoft that introduced an entirely new driver model for Vista, and it actually hasn’t done a great job of supporting the 500x devices you mention

]]> By: Roland Judas http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384153 Roland Judas Wed, 28 May 2008 20:26:34 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384153 Don't you think that it's to simple to say that Microsoft is fighting only Google or Apple? Microsoft has fought many fierce battles in the past, some of them victorious like against Netscape, other battles they lost - e. g. the big Linux-war. Others are still ongoing, like in database field against Oracle and alike or in the ERP field. They even try to move into vertical markets (e. g. Healthcare/Azyxxi). The problem is simply that Microsoft has too many big visions and fights to many battles at the same time. Thought they have the most mature partner ecosystem, quadrupling their work force, it's impossible to be victorious in any field and to battle Google, Apple, Oracle, IBM, HP, BMC, CA, Redhat, Amazon, Novell, Nintendo, Sony and many more. Especially, when the others do not have this huge number of brownfields. For example Apple is supporting only certain hardware - i bet that Micrsoft has to provide 500 times more drivers for Notebooks than Apple does - but the user can even choose the latest MSI Wind Atom-MiniNotebook. Cheers Roland Don’t you think that it’s to simple to say that Microsoft is fighting only Google or Apple? Microsoft has fought many fierce battles in the past, some of them victorious like against Netscape, other battles they lost - e. g. the big Linux-war. Others are still ongoing, like in database field against Oracle and alike or in the ERP field. They even try to move into vertical markets (e. g. Healthcare/Azyxxi).

The problem is simply that Microsoft has too many big visions and fights to many battles at the same time. Thought they have the most mature partner ecosystem, quadrupling their work force, it’s impossible to be victorious in any field and to battle Google, Apple, Oracle, IBM, HP, BMC, CA, Redhat, Amazon, Novell, Nintendo, Sony and many more. Especially, when the others do not have this huge number of brownfields. For example Apple is supporting only certain hardware - i bet that Micrsoft has to provide 500 times more drivers for Notebooks than Apple does - but the user can even choose the latest MSI Wind Atom-MiniNotebook.

Cheers
Roland

]]> By: Bill de hOra http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384149 Bill de hOra Wed, 28 May 2008 20:17:35 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384149 "It seems to me that Microsoft’s most important competitor is Apple, not Google. " Or Nintendo if you buy the notion that the xbox is a big part of MSFTs future. The wii and youtube have more or less replaced television (and any other consoles) in our house. Youtube is a distant second btw. Seeing kids watching youtube and ordering a pizza via a wii is illuminating. “It seems to me that Microsoft’s most important competitor is Apple, not Google. ”

Or Nintendo if you buy the notion that the xbox is a big part of MSFTs future. The wii and youtube have more or less replaced television (and any other consoles) in our house. Youtube is a distant second btw.

Seeing kids watching youtube and ordering a pizza via a wii is illuminating.

]]> By: Umang http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384103 Umang Wed, 28 May 2008 18:18:25 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-384103 That is so true. Reminded me of the concept of the Other in psychology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other That is so true. Reminded me of the concept of the Other in psychology: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Other

]]> By: Nick Hortovanyi http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383877 Nick Hortovanyi Wed, 28 May 2008 11:07:58 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383877 Waiting on my MBP to arrive. The order has taken so far >2 weeks. Apparently I have a CTO being assembled in China. Why Open-Solaris? I hear that OOo is not included by default. Waiting on my MBP to arrive. The order has taken so far >2 weeks. Apparently I have a CTO being assembled in China.

Why Open-Solaris? I hear that OOo is not included by default.

]]> By: Nicolai Rygh http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383781 Nicolai Rygh Wed, 28 May 2008 06:59:37 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383781 Thanks for your answer. I agree Google search is a point in time. The question will be if microsft does something smart in the search space, how long will it take before Google take that idea to the next level. Thanks for your answer. I agree Google search is a point in time. The question will be if microsft does something smart in the search space, how long will it take before Google take that idea to the next level.

]]> By: protocol7 » Blog Archive » QOTD http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383473 protocol7 » Blog Archive » QOTD Tue, 27 May 2008 20:12:59 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383473 [...] Governor, Note to Microsoft: You Need to Identify The Real Competition Tags: microsoft. | Leave a [...] [...] Governor, Note to Microsoft: You Need to Identify The Real Competition Tags: microsoft. | Leave a [...]

]]> By: Dale Vile http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383394 Dale Vile Tue, 27 May 2008 17:50:09 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383394 Hi James Interesting comments on desktop OS choices and positions. We are in the middle of a large scale data gathering exercise on this topic. A week or two ago, we gathered over 5,000 responses on opinions and perceptions of Vista. We curently have a request for feedback running <a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/27/mac_osx_poll_200805/" rel="nofollow">here</a> on OS X (already received 2000 responses since this morning), and will be running a third poll on Desktop Linux readiness for business in about a week. We are providing highlights as we go, but the intention is to pull everything together at the end into a coherent analysis. Will keep you posted. Cheers Dale Hi James

Interesting comments on desktop OS choices and positions. We are in the middle of a large scale data gathering exercise on this topic. A week or two ago, we gathered over 5,000 responses on opinions and perceptions of Vista. We curently have a request for feedback running here on OS X (already received 2000 responses since this morning), and will be running a third poll on Desktop Linux readiness for business in about a week.

We are providing highlights as we go, but the intention is to pull everything together at the end into a coherent analysis.

Will keep you posted.

Cheers
Dale

]]> By: jgovernor http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383369 jgovernor Tue, 27 May 2008 17:07:16 +0000 http://www.redmonk.com/jgovernor/2008/05/27/note-to-microsoft-you-need-to-identify-the-real-competition/#comment-383369 Dave- may i also suggest you check out this interview with Steve Sinovsky. Makes it very clear the new Vista driver model has been very bad news from a compatibility perspective http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-9951638-56.html Dave- may i also suggest you check out this interview with Steve Sinovsky. Makes it very clear the new Vista driver model has been very bad news from a compatibility perspective

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-9951638-56.html

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