Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: Swordmaker
> At 90% of the personal computer operating system market, they are still considered a monopoly.

I disagree -- there are too many credible alternatives these days to complain that Microsoft can force people to buy their products.

Go back to the mid-1990's and the picture was very different -- the Mac was ineffectual, Linux didn't exist as a product. If you wanted to get things done in the mainstream, you pretty much HAD to have Windows, and of story.

The rise of Mac OS-X changed that for consumers, and the rise of Linux changed that for more technical and more experimental users. It won't go back.

Microsoft's position has been eroding quickly since about 2003, and they are now in the position of the Empire in Asimov's Foundation -- Trantor still shines brightly, but the structure is weakened and visibly crumbling.

I believe that we will see Microsoft drop to 70% marketshare within 5 years. The only reason that can happen is that they are no longer a monopoly.

17 posted on 04/01/2009 12:18:24 AM PDT by dayglored (Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies ]


To: dayglored
I believe that we will see Microsoft drop to 70% marketshare within 5 years. The only reason that can happen is that they are no longer a monopoly.

Such is the fate of all monopolies... however, until the Justice Departments of both the United States and the Economic Union agree to withdraw their sanctions, Microsoft will still have to abide by the limitations placed on them because of the anti-trust convictions as a monopoly.

21 posted on 04/01/2009 1:01:44 AM PDT by Swordmaker (Remember, the proper pronunciation of IE is "AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEE!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson