MS is betting their GUI is superior to the point where swithing costs are sufficiently high to allow them to release an inferior product knowing the market will stick with them.
Honestly, I don't know how long this can go on. Open source applications are more difficult (but not impossible to) gain competitive advantage over in-house designs due to the lack of critical mass developer/users (word processor users don't typically have deep programming knowledge or a need to improve on whats out there).
Crazy Prediction: MicroSoft will lose the infrastructure game, but continue to win in the integrated suited of productivity related applications areana.
Honestly, I don't know how long this can go on. Open source applications are more difficult (but not impossible to) gain competitive advantage over in-house designs due to the lack of critical mass developer/users (word processor users don't typically have deep programming knowledge or a need to improve on whats out there).
Crazy Prediction: MicroSoft will lose the infrastructure game, but continue to win in the integrated suited of productivity related applications areana.
I use Microsofts IE and generally support their products but they remind me of the runner who is leading the race by a lap and sees no reason to look behind him.