[clyde asbury]

..Sony's Beta was technologically superior to JVC's VHS format...

This is the New York Times conventional wisdom.

"Superior." Consumers didn't agree. If they had, they would have switched.

The same applies to operating systems. When a better OS comes along, Windows will be dropped in no time. Superior for most consumers' needs, not experts' opinions.

[N3WBI3]

This is the New York Times conventional wisdom.

In what measure was VHS superior to beatamax? the only one that comes to mind is licensing model, and that is a big one. The OP point is that in a performance comparison BETA was better.

When a better OS comes along

Again how so? if it does not run visio most companies wont use it. Again like the OP said MS is using its market position and size to dominate not the most technically superior OS. They make shrewd business decisions, and their product is passable..