Jurrien stuurde een link naar dit interessante artikeltje van Linux.com. Volgens de schrijver zal Microsoft, met de toenemende populariteit van Linux en embedded apparaatjes die Windows overbodig maken, zijn monopolie op desktop operating systems verliezen. Microsoft verlegd intussen zijn strategie naar de vercommercialisering van het internet en de achterliggende infrastructuur:
What are my conclusions? To me, it is obvious that Bill Gates and Microsoft have realized that the Windows monopoly days are drawing to a close. Further, they don't really care. Anyone with a bit of insight must have realized that we have reached a so-called inflection point in the software industry. Free software has reached a point where it can no longer be easily dismissed. The Internet and embedded devices are increasingly usurping the role of the traditional desktop computer. In a world where the desktop is relegated to a lesser role, a desktop monopoly becomes irrelevant.Microsoft must also realize this. Of course, they will try to hold the line and maintain their Windows empire for as long as possible. But, by looking at their investment strategy, it becomes apparent they are focusing more on gaining a new monopoly on the new playing field.
Examine MSNBC, Hotmail.com, Expedia.com, MSN.com, and so on, for some insight into what the new focus really is. Most importantly though, is their multi-billion dollar investment in AT&T. Linux is already starting to make the operating system into a commodity. With the Internet turning into a gold rush atmosphere, the obvious place to strike it rich is not to "mine gold" by selling operating systems, but to sell "shovels and picks", owning the infrastructure the miners need to operate. Whoever owns the medium and the media of the Internet will make the most money. Simple fact.
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