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One of the things that came out in the older Microsoft lawsuit was that Microsoft considered licensing the OS for 1-year's use at a time. Pay your annual user fee or be forced to uninstall their OS.

It came up in the context of whether Compaq or some other large player had the technology/muscle to use a different OS if that became MS policy.

Another aspect is that computers, and their associated software have largely matured. No longer are they magical boxes with all kinds of gee-wiz appeal.

In business, they're simply tools to accomplish specific tasks - documentation, calculation, communication. Frankly, the machines and MS software of five years ago were more than adequate (when they worked) for 99% of businesses. Unfortunately for Microsoft, their tools don't "wear out".

It's akin to having to buy new screwdrivers when your old ones work just fine. Sure, its nice to have the newest tools, but at some point it isn't cost effective if the old ones are working - money is better spent in other places.

Once upon a time, you had to upgrade to get needed features, or better speed, or reliability. That isn't really the case any more. I don't have anything against Microsoft, but they need to focus on their customers again. We don't buy MS to keep them in business, they're in business to meet our needs.

I'd have no problem recommending Microsoft if I could say to my managers "We need to upgrade because of these xxxx innovative features that will save us money/increase our efficiency/give us better control in the following ways...". Microsoft's not giving me that anymore. I have to say "We need to upgrade because Microsoft is forcing us to". There's no business case - its purely driven by Microsoft. Believe me, its resented all the way up the chain, because everyone has to use the same reason; there's no good business case, its because Microsoft is forcing us.

Sure, maybe this time there really aren't safe alternatives and we can eat the cost because "everyone else has to pay too". Any loyalty to Microsoft has been used up. Two or three years from now, when Microsoft pulls the same shenanigans, more and more of us will be willing to take the jump. I'll be one of the first in line.