[Last Visible Dog]

We got it. Having IE remain the dominant browser is worth nothing to Microsoft and they would be just as happy if Firefox/Mozilla took an 80% share.

You really don't get it. The standards set down by MS (and others) were all that mattered - the ability for MS to deliver what they envisioned for the Internet. The browser is a means, not an end.

Of course MS wants to remain the dominant browser (what company won't) but IE dominance is not required for MS to continue to be successful. Do the math. MS makes zero dollars off the browser.

The only way MS would be hurt is if a new browser become dominant and that browser did not support MS content (the stuff they make money on). That is not going to happen - at least not in the near future.

[Arkinsaw]

The only way MS would be hurt is if a new browser become dominant and that browser did not support MS content (the stuff they make money on).

Ah, but you are assuming that they don't have NEW content that they will want the standards to support. Right now they have the option to disobey the standards if they don't get what they want in them. If they lose dominance in the browser market, then whoever IS dominant will have a major influence over those standards and just might not feel like supporting Microsoft's future ideas (even though we all know that everyone in the industry loves Microsoft and their plans).

I have the feeling that Microsoft will want to have a bit more control over the environment they operate in than just leaving it to Mozilla or Opera.

But I could be wrong, they may not give a damn about IE anymore.