Microsoft Bashing

[GadgetMaster]

There tends to be a trend when it comes to talking about the Redmond giant and that is to slam it at every given opportunity. I have been guilty of it myself but I was just wondering what would happen if Microsoft suddenly dissappeared from the radar. Imagine they just got wiped off the face of the Earth and took every copy of their software with them.

Now don't get me wrong, I hate their monopolistic practices as much as anyone else and tend to get frustrated with the annoyances of their software aswell. But just because we like the Amiga do we automatically have the right to say that everything else is useless.

The fact is that the world currently needs Microsoft because there is nothing that can immediately replace it. With the keyword here being immediately.

If the hypothetical scenario did happen and suddenly there was no MS and all traces of its software were gone, how do you think things would turn out and what direction do you think general users would take.

The truth is that Microsoft is going to be around much longer than most people would prefer and their software will be a part of the IT industry whether we like it or not. Now wouldn't it be better to channel all the energy spent complaining into creating something positive? Maybe we can all get along together after all.

It would be interesting to hear your opinions on this.

 :-)  :-D  :-(  :-o  :-?  :lol:  8-)  :-x  :-P  :oops:  :pissed:  :cry:  :rtfm:  :nervous:  :whack:  :smack:  :bigcry:  :furious:  :insane:  :insane:  :admonish:

[EDIT]

In case you are wondering, NO I didn't apply for a position at Microsoft. Just playing the advocate. :lol:

[GadgetMaster]

spihunter wrote:
If M$ dissapeared right now, everything else would step in to take its place. They offer an OS and a office suite. We have tons of both on other platforms.

The difference would be that everyone would comply to open standards instead of "microsoft" standards.

And on a personal note, I would miss work that day because of the mass celebrations of computer geeks in the streets. :-D

Hmm, I think the opposite would happen. Instead of everyone complying to standards I think every man and his dog would try to come up with their own "superior" format further fragmenting the industry and causing chaos.

Sure, the geeks would be dancing but what about all the lost work from all the MSOffice dependants. Some peoples livelihoods actually depend on MS software. Something we usually take for granted. Not the best position for an industry to be in. It would take years to re-stabilise and it would be very large gap to fill.

[GadgetMaster]

Wayne wrote:
Hey Gadget!  Long time no see really.

Thanks!

Nice to see you posting more around here too :-)

I rarely get as much time as I used to for spending on forums but that does not mean I don't check these boards whenever I get the chance.

Re topic: We are usually so obsessed with the bad things that monopolistic corporations bring to the world that we overlook the (few) benefits we have gained from them. Some of the things we expect to come as standard with an OS are all things Microsoft 'spoiled' us with.

The greater expectations we now have are all due to the efforts of teams of programmers that have been hacking away at code for the best part of the last decade (whilst being plied with soft drinks and pizza no doubt) to bring us some sort of usable system. These same programmers would be applauded if they were working for someone else. They have made steady progress and they have definately improved their product over the years.

As has been pointed out, if it wasn't MS then whoever was in their position would be as equally cold and corporate as them. Its only the smaller enthusiast and opensource markets that may have more approachable and down to earth attitudes. Thats the unfortunate but true situation with global multi-national operations. It all about making the most money. If you have happy customers then that is a welcome bonus

While it would be nice to see Amiga succeed I somehow feel that it will always be better as a niche. I would never like to see it become another Microsoft.

Microsoftification, a word to add to the dictionaries ? :inquisitive: