What is Microsoft?

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is a $25 billion company.





It is divided into three main business groups: operating systems, software products, and consumer products, which include games, Web browsers, and other home, personal, and educational products. With this exposure, Microsoft dominates in many markets. Nine out of ten personal computers run some version of the Microsoft Windows operating system. In addition, Microsoft has 90 percent of the office/spreadsheet/graphics software market. Its MSN Internet Explorer comprises more than 60 percent of the Web-browser market. And, because Microsoft bundles and interlocks its systems and programs, organizations with a network of computers are compelled to buy Microsoft products continually.





1. What do you think should be done, if anything, and why?

What is Microsoft?
i really dont care who makes the software as long as its high quality and does its job well.
Reply:They need to start using Linux, it's far superior and guess what, it actually works out of the box!


http://www.ubuntu.com


http://www.vectorlinux.com
Reply:Open source all the way. Freedom of computing without ridiculously invasive licensing.
Reply:Welcome to a capitalistic society.





This is what a free market it. You want a free market, live with the consequences.





Or stop buying from Microsoft. I like that idea.
Reply:What should be done? Nothing. It is a legitimate business. Stop crying about it.
Reply:I am not crazy about Microsoft either, but instead of the government getting involved which isn't going to happen, I think we need to educate people on the other alternatives out there; and, as more people become computer savvy I think Microsoft's monopoly will disappear. For instance with the emergence of Firefox, we are seeing Internet Explorer's monopoly steadily decline.
Reply:Nothing,


The Mac OS and *UNIX based OS are alternatives to the windows operating system. As for the spreadsheet/Word processor/ APP market, Openoffice allows a sucessful alternative. Multiple business have chosen to use the Windows OS which in turn will require them to purchase Windows based HW/SW in the future. Windows has already been sued for creating a monopoly and the result was a higher revenue for that calendar year.