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?
Nothing, because if they keep lying to the public about the viability of their operating systems, then someone is going to surpass them.


Already a majority of former pc gamers are finding that it is cheaper to buy a console than it is to build a gaming pc.


I watched a video on the inet the other day.


This chick built a gaming pc that would be fully upgraded for the next 5 years.


Cost, over 5,000.00


I also know that there are some free office programs giving windows a run for their money and they make their office able to format compatible with Microsoft Office.


Doodad
Reply:i really appreciate their service, god luck to them
Reply:Microsoft "dominates" because they provide products that most people want, or at least THINK they want. I see no reason to take any action, such as the DOJ did several years ago, just because sheeple can't make decisions on their own.





If you want to "do something" about it, don't use their products. Build your own computer, install Linux on it, and use free software like OpenOffice.
Reply:Microsoft is Micro$oft.
Reply:Yes it is most certainly a monopoly, however the ball started rolling for MS many years ago as PC manufacturers geared there equipment towards Windows, major companies and corporations geared themselves to use MS products.





The Windows domination is not wholly the doings of Microsoft, many third party software manufacturers are short sighted and develop software for Windows only.





Moreover Windows is easy to operate which makes it more likely to appeal to the average user. The monoploy will continue until third party software manufacturers become less short sighted, so the ball is very much in their court.





With user friendly Linux releases coming out and its catching on, the pendulum will begin to swing even further, once the third party software issues have been addressed.





Good luck.





LUg.
Reply:Nothing. Because government involvement in the "free" market will tear our economy to SHREDS!





Fact is... if everyone (or at least half of the people) didn't want to use Microsoft, some other company could compete! No one is forcing you to use MS ANYTHING... Buy a MAC, install Redhat... use Solaris... whatever! There are MANY other options out there.
Reply:Other than their aggressive stand for taking the monopoly's powers into a single entity, they are very good. Business tactics are not so bad. If they had supported free software from the beginning, they'd be as powerful as the FSF as well as being richest.





Too sad, they chose to fight FSF of all the organisations.