Microsoft no longer sells software as their primary business!

A few recent news stories have lead me to the firm conclusion that Microsoft is no longer a credible software company. I know a lot of people have been saying that for a long time, but here are a few pointers that indicate they’ve gone from being a tech company to become a legal firm.

First, an illustration of how their software ‘innovation’ is no longer of much importance/interest. Take Windows 7. To put it kindly, it’s what Vista could/should have been and is as good or better than XP. I think most would agree that’s faint praise… To prove this point, you only have to look at the number of Windows users who are still n XP and the number of people who, every day, ask for advice on the advisability and/or need for migrating from XP to Win 7… There aren’t really any features that would change how an average user works. On the other hand, I’ve recently been using Ubuntu 10.04 Lucid Lynx for educational purposes. It doesn’t take long while using it to come across references to Ubuntu One. Now there is a feature that could conceivably grow into something that does change how we use our computers! Now on to examples where Microsoft as a technology company has turned to lawyers and the courts.

Firstly, a prime example of a business practice that MS has long employed. Apparently, Motorola has been targeted by MS’s legal department due to alleged patent infringements in their implementation of Android. There’s a lot of potential comment to be had out of this one but, suffice to say, why can’t they fight a fair fight by producing a product that consumers will want rather than bully the competition out of the market?

Another one is the proud announcement that MS have managed to take down botnets. Through legal action… Well done! Now fix the system vulnerabilities that allowed these botnets to operate in the first place.

Finally, there’s the hare-brained proposal to rid the interwebs of malware by only allowing users to connect if they’re on a trusted platform with a certificate verifying that they have anti virus, firewall and a fully patched machine. Windows machine, that is! Oh priceless! Why do your own dirty work or take ownership of the problems you caused when you can ask governments and internet service providers to do it for you and severely handicap your competitors into the bargain?

In closing, who’s responsible for this escalating trend leading Microsoft into the vacancy left by the SCO group? I don’t know but the key words ‘monkey dance chair throw’ might provide a clue. How would Microsoft regain their credibility in the eyes of a lot of people in the IT industry? Simple. Concentrate on producing good quality code instead of lining the pockets of lawyers. Compete fairly and with products people will want to use and you will remain successful and profitable. The alternative is illustrated by the example I mentioned just now. SCO.