Get Off Microsoft

In countries and cities around the world, mandated or not, Linux desktop PCs are decisively replacing PCs.

As 2006 closes, the titans of our computer industry have, one way or another, made their visions known to mankind. Three in particular have made interesting, if not influential, comments on the future of the Internet and the world as we know it: Google’s CEO Eric Schmidt, Apple’s Steve Jobs, and of course, Microsoft’s Bill Gates.

Microsoft, with Zune, is making the classic mistake of using price, features, and incremental improvements to compete against the iPod.

What might make Microsoft’s Zune better than the iPod is its price — as yet unannounced. But how low must Toshiba go before anyone will pay attention?

With Ozzie and Mundie at the helm, Microsoft is not likely to make its transition — from Office and Windows revenue streams to services — very quickly. While heaping praise on Ozzie for at least having a truly innovative past, let’s not forget that Mundie, and ultimately Ballmer, will remain “the voice of reason” in Redmond.

Maybe you believe that Microsoft is probably the best software company to undertake the task of making Vista, the upcoming version of Windows, secure. Then again, maybe not.

Microsoft plans to significantly boost spending in the upcoming year to battle with Google and other rivals. The company is starting from scratch, and it scares Wall Street.

The tools and information to develop custom rootkits that compromise Windows PC are freely available, and thieves are wiser about how to use them.

Microsoft’s delay in providing Windows Vista to the general marketplace has sparked all manner of criticism and analysis. ‘ve addressed a number of questions from reporters and journalists and gathered them here, with paraphrased questions and my responses.

By the time Microsoft gets its act together with better system software, the Intel-based Mac will likely be dual-booting Mac OS X and earlier versions of Windows.