-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Tuesday 06 May 2003 12:09, Fred A. Miller wrote:

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=9334

"The goal is to make Windows-based computers more consistent, easier to navigate and able to provide a better computing experience,..." Same thing he's been saying for the last decade or so! Translation. Dumber with more things hidden and all your computing needs and decisions made for you. "The best way to advance the state of the art is to work together even more closely, always starting from the customer's perspective and focusing on the combination of hardware and software that works best to create an innovative and compelling next-generation PC." Translation. Since the DOJ appointed that damn board to look over our shoulder we can't just blatently threaten them anymore. So, instead we'll "partner" up with them and entrench ourselves in a "good ol' boys" network. This way they can be there to make sure that our stuff like Pallidium gets put in "our" way! "The Athens PC has a built-in telephone linked to Microsoft's productivity applications." Oh Great! An M$ telephone (sheesh)! If the industry embraces this new approach, Microsoft could have an even bigger role in shaping the evolution of PCs. It may also help the company fend off competition from Apple and freely shared software. Translation. Since the DOJ appointed that damn board to look over our shoulder we can't just blatently threaten them anymore. So, instead we'll "partner" up with them and entrench ourselves in a "good ol' boys" way. This way they can be there to make sure that our stuff like Pallidium get put in "our" way! I see a theme developing here. Ha, M$ had buddied up with the OEMs because they're both unhappy about the profit margins. Problem with this is that M$ will surely drop a few subtle comments and suggestions about Linux, especially for the corporate desktop (drop a few subtle comments and suggestions = drop a brick or two). "Developing jazzy new machines that are deeply integrated with Microsoft products also shores up the company's defenses against the recent arrival of low-priced PCs based on the freely shared Linux operating system." Upside to this is that all this stuff comes at a price and that's why Linux is kicking serious ass. M$ is deluded if they think that by keeping the OEMs close to home that they can persuade the Corps to spend more money on fancy new PCs and gadgetry. Forcast related to IT spending are mixed to say the least. If in a positive light increased spending and revenue expenditures for IT by most companies is forcasted to be light, at best. Also, those that do intend to spend on IT are more over seriously eyeing OSS/Linux to get the most bang for the but. With XP out for the desktop, upgrades to XP from W2k or W98 are not really a factor, XP is under Licensing 6 and this will raise per seat licenses tremendously in and of itself. Like wise if M$ thinks companies are going to run out to spend more money on W2k3 servers, and all the License 6 crap I would be surprised it this went any higher than mediocre in the M$ revenue gains department. Frankly, this could prove to be another sink-hole for M$. The proof will be at fiscal years end, and I would be curious to see their next Q-10 report. I have no doubt that M$ and HP will roll out a full market campaign of glitze and FUD. But at the same time HP has it's Unix division and this is being supplanted by the adoption of Linux which it will either have to embrace and foster or suffer still less market position due to other that are willing to support Linux market gains.. Hmmmm! This is one to keep an eye on to be sure. It's a good thing that SuSE got rolling in the marketing trail. Cheers, Curtis. -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.7 (GNU/Linux) iD8DBQE+uUrC7WVLiDrqeksRAqh6AKC8eiiL4T5igsWBSpqT8GLCsKGihgCfRsos brpjfWKYGWpvB3dFnfweRe8= =qt21 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----