Is Microsoft on the verge of committing suicide?

[Manchunian]

Take a look at this. Then look at this.
Now, just who is going to buy that? Just where is Microsoft going? And is it committing suicide? I reckon we are entering very interesting and exciting times for Linux, despite the One Laptop per child project and the EEPC's recent switch to XP. I don't think Microsoft is going to be able to hold back the flood, and is now fighting for breath.

[carlosponti]

MS has been making bad decisions for some 15 years doubt they will be on their way out anytime soon. Apple almost went out and doesn't have the market share because of bad decisions but aren't dead either. Companies dont die they just reformulate.

[Kieren]

What I'm wondering about is where are all these touch screens going to come from? Can you imagine the cost of a PC with a touch screen and Windows?

I also think it's going to be one of those things that seems cool to begin with but will soon get annoying. Touch screens are no good for typing and I don't think using one with a keyboard will be very comfortable.

Also the finger prints all over my screen will drive me crazy :P

[Manchunian]

I don't think MS will die, and in fact I don't want that to happen (believe it or not!) Microsoft does make some excellent software, Microsoft Flight Sim for example, let's be honest. But what I want to happen, and I think it will happen, is that Windows will stop becoming the de facto operation system. Things are already moving in that direction - as the article on the Dell laptop shows. And we see much more of Linux these days. I saw an article on Computer training in this area: I'm pleased to announce that all the students were running Ubuntu. The Gendarmerie in France also uses Linux and Open Source software now; as does the French Parliament. And, for me, one of the most symolic things was to see the BBC showing off its website on Ubuntu. Perhaps we could make a list, but I think it would be a very long one. Yes, I'm really sure that more and more people and organisations are starting to understand the power of Linux, and how much money they can safe by switching to it.

[Manchunian]

I also think it's going to be one of those things that seems cool to begin with but will soon get annoying. Touch screens are no good for typing and I don't think using one with a keyboard will be very comfortable.

I totally agree. It looks a real pain in the posterior to acually use this thing. Who's going to go for that? It's distracting enough using a mouse sometimes, but having to take both your hands off the keyboard to move things around looks a real nuissance. Besides, if Microsoft wanted to pick a fight with Linux, using touchscreens is a very bad idea. Linux has a long history of creating very reliable, efficent touchscreens (cash till registers, mobile phones etc)

[techieMoe]

MS has been making bad decisions for some 15 years doubt they will be on their way out anytime soon. Apple almost went out and doesn't have the market share because of bad decisions but aren't dead either. Companies dont die they just reformulate.

I have to agree. No company of that size will just up and disappear one day. It will take at least another 15 years of bad decisions before they have to close up shop. I don't remember where I read this, but I heard that if Microsoft were to stop selling everything today, it would be able to use the money it has in the bank to continue operations as is for another decade.

That being said, I'm not impressed with the Windows 7 demo, but then who on this forum would be?

[carlosponti]

That being said, I'm not impressed with the Windows 7 demo, but then who on this forum would be?

don't think i would be impressed even if it made me dinner and wiped my butt for me.

[Dapper Dan]

Also the finger prints all over my screen will drive me crazy :P

They've already addressed that. It will come with its own automatic screen cleaner for around $400.00 more. Here's a preview:

Link

[techieMoe]

They've already addressed that. It will come with its own automatic screen cleaner for around $400.00 more. Here's a preview:

Link

That one got a chuckle out of me.

[carlosponti]

ha ha I love that