Zoho Blogs � IBM, Microsoft & Google Eras of Computing

Zoho Blogs � IBM, Microsoft & Google Eras of Computing: "By now it is conventional wisdom to say that there was an IBM Era of computing, then a Microsoft Era, and now we are in the Google Era. In this post, I will explain why Microsoft was not the “next IBM” and why Google is not the “next Microsoft” - there are significant qualitative differences among them, quite apart from their status as the dominant, era-defining players. Understanding that qualitative difference is crucial for third party vendors like Zoho to thrive. I was reminded of this because of the IBM/Google partnership unveiled today (via Dan Farber & see also Nick Carr). As an aside, I have coined a kind of Moore’s Law on these computing eras:"

Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Is Office the new Netscape?

Rough Type: Nicholas Carr's Blog: Is Office the new Netscape?: "As Microsoft and Yahoo continue with their interminable modern-dress staging of Hamlet - it's longer than Branagh's version! - the transformation of the software business goes on. We have new players with new strategies, or at least interesting new takes on old strategies.

One of the cornerstones of Microsoft's competitive strategy over the years has been to redefine competitors' products as features of its own products. Whenever some upstart PC software company started to get traction with a new application - the Netscape browser is the most famous example - Microsoft would incorporate a version of the application into its Office suite or Windows operating system, eroding the market for the application as a standalone product and starving its rival of economic oxygen (ie, cash). It was an effective strategy as well as a controversial one.

Now, though, the tables may be turning. Google is trying to pull a Microsoft on Microsoft by redefining core personal-productivity applications - calendars. word processing, spreadsheets, etc. - as features embedded in other products. There's a twist, though. Rather than just incorporating the applications as features in its own products, Google is offering them up to other companies, particularly big IT vendors, to incorporate as features in their products."

Microsoft’s elephant in the OS room: Apple | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com

Microsoft’s elephant in the OS room: Apple | Between the Lines | ZDNet.com: "In our Pacific Crest Mosaic surveys, we have seen increasing evidence of Apple taking share in the enterprise market. While Apple is not the only reason for the Microsoft Client shortfall, it seems plausible that it could be a larger factor than acknowledged by Microsoft. As a result, we are somewhat skeptical of Microsoft’s assumption that its Client revenue will snap back next quarter."

Ubuntu man says Microsoft's about to 'swallow a hand-grenade' | Reg Developer

Ubuntu man says Microsoft's about to 'swallow a hand-grenade' | Reg Developer: "During a recent interview in London, Shuttleworth had plenty to say about Microhoo.

"The Microsoft and Yahoo thing is fascinating," he told me. "I think the ad game is lost. So, Microsoft buying Yahoo! now on search? Come on. Two failing operators will just continue to decline together. On search, I think it's totally a waste of time."

...

"I think this game will swing from the desktop to the web and eventually back again in really interesting ways. They already have a hell of a big investment in whatever their vision is. It's not like they were waiting to buy Yahoo!. They were spending gagillions of dollars, which they have, on data centers for that sort of vision. So, what does Yahoo give them then? A brand, which they will probably screw up."

Why The Yahoo-Microsoft Deal Will Be a Disaster - Silicon Alley Insider

Why The Yahoo-Microsoft Deal Will Be a Disaster - Silicon Alley Insider: "We've poked fun at Yahoo's efforts to pretend that it's in control of this Microsoft process, and we've argued that the transaction is pretty much a done deal. One thing we want to be clear about, however: Yahoo is smart to search for alternatives, because if the deal proceeds as proposed, it will be a disaster--for both Yahoo and Microsoft. (If you're already persuaded of this, see The Answer. If not, read on.)"

Also:
60% Chance Microsoft Walks From Yahoo Deal (MSFT / YHOO) - Silicon Alley Insider

Dear Jerry and Steve... Here's the Answer - Silicon Alley Insider

Next Move in the Microsoft-Yahoo Battle: Analysts, Wall Street, and SAI Readers Weigh In - Silicon Alley Insider

YouTube - Stupid Internal Microsoft Vista SP1 Video

YouTube - Stupid Internal Microsoft Vista SP1 Video

Stupid Internal Microsoft Vista SP1 Video where a hired Bruce Springsteen band must sings the praises of Vista's SP1 release.



Microsoft has a history of making dumb videos. -- MG

Windows Server 2008 is better than Vista, but why? | Reg Developer

Windows Server 2008 is better than Vista, but why? | Reg Developer: "The short answer is that Server 2008 delivers new features that customers wanted, whereas Vista delivers new features that Microsoft thought its customers should want. However, it seems there may be more to it than that. Maybe Server 2008 really does perform better than Vista."

Todd Bishop's Microsoft Blog

Todd Bishop's Microsoft Blog: "Ballmer says Vista is a 'work in progress'

More than a year after Windows Vista's release, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer this morning acknowledged some of the operating system's shortcomings -- calling it a 'work in progress' during a speech to the company's Most Valuable Professionals conference in Seattle. He also acknowledged Windows XP's fans, but he stopped short of committing to further extend the older operating system's life.

Here's an extended excerpt from his comments on the topic:

Windows Vista: A work in progress. [Laughter, applause.] A very important piece of work, and I think we did a lot of things right, and I think we have a lot of things we need to learn from. Certainly, you never want to let five years go between releases. Can we just sort of kiss that stone and move on? Because it turns out many things become problematic when you have those long release cycles. The design point, what you should be targeting. We can't ever let that happen again. We had some things that we can't just set the dial back, but I think people wish we could. Vista is bigger than XP. It's going to stay bigger than XP. We have to make sure it doesn't get bigger still, and that the performance and that the battery life and that the compatibility, we're driving on the things that we need to drive hard to improve."