Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
From the Not JUST Microsoft dept.:
...What can Microsoft do to curb the threat of free software, and what do you think it will be willing to do?
Other than adopting Linux, there is little Microsoft can do. Even if they did embrace it, not only would it hurt their profit margins, they'd be forced to explain to customers why they should continue to pay for Office if the company believes the free OpenOffice is good enough....
Microsoft has created Web sites where developers can use free code and collaborate, and the latest is called CodePlex. While it shows that Microsoft understands the benefits of free software, this site mostly contains tiny add-ons to proprietary Microsoft products.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by blackskinny on May 22, 2009 - 09:34 PM
not only would it hurt their profit margins
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by megans413 on May 23, 2009 - 12:23 AM
Microsoft has dominated the computer world for like 2 decades (on my recount) and I believe that the consumers also need change. Now that the economy is not in good condition, a lot of us would definitely go for free softwares rather than creating an additional expense at their end. This I guess is one thing that Microsoft should think well.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by Murb1970 on May 23, 2009 - 09:35 AM
After years of domination, Rome got too big, as well.
This isn't a prophecy of doom, but a fact of life.
Politics, government and industry are not static.
Change is inevitable...so are the ups and downs of every business' profits.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by bazzerpl on May 24, 2009 - 08:05 AM
Not sure they are bothered. the more people developing software on their platform, the more windows spreads. It's almost like downloadable music. You might have thought this was the end of the music industry. The opposite happened. Now there is more buzz in that market than almost any other.
Microsoft are playing a brilliant game here.
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by Marsha12 on May 24, 2009 - 12:58 PM
If I were given two choices for using office package, I must go for Linux. And I think most of the people will do it now.
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by rohitsinha on May 24, 2009 - 02:26 PM
While it shows that Microsoft understands the benefits of free software, this site mostly contains tiny add-ons to proprietary Microsoft products.
Isn't this just so developers create more and more apps and add-ons for the MS platform, thus making it more and more popular? And much of the code is only useful to other developers anyway.
Makes sense for MS to promote ease of development on their platform though.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by crushier101 on May 25, 2009 - 02:20 AM
that would be a big problem right?
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by jackreed on May 25, 2009 - 04:35 AM
Due to our economic situation today, people would always go to where they won't create another fees. We understand that its business but we should accept the fact that people will go to where they can benefit more especially with regards to the 'pocket' thing.
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by xboxtony on May 25, 2009 - 09:22 AM
Until every application can be run on linux I just don't see this happening. I love ubuntu, but find myself having to boot windows just to run certain apps.
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by WilliamKurtz12 on May 25, 2009 - 10:17 AM
Microsoft will surely repent for this..
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by millionwq on May 25, 2009 - 11:19 AM
quality beats price. No worries for microsoft to me
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by DeborahBradley on May 25, 2009 - 02:34 PM
And why would they do that?
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by rasta on May 25, 2009 - 03:49 PM
they need to start giving out free software too.
maybe with paid upgrades
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by oneminuteforexinvestor on May 26, 2009 - 12:11 AM
Until windows is replaced, microsoft will rule. At present there is no complete substitute for windows.
If there is a very good substitute for windows then only microsoft will be killed.
Other free software integrating with windows will only make microsoft more popular.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by accidentclaim231 on May 26, 2009 - 09:03 AM
There is now a huge momentum of giving away top quality software as an opener to potential customers. As people get to realise this more and more Microsoft will have to embrace this tendency or face losing a lot of customers to free platforms.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by bettylane11 on May 26, 2009 - 09:08 AM
Free enterprise, giving people a choice.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by jk264721 (jakekennedy@googlemail.com)
on May 26, 2009 - 03:39 PM
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by eryasgroup on May 27, 2009 - 08:23 AM
What is really killing Microsoft is the products they are competing against are not only free but they are much better in quality. When you have something that works better and it doesn't cost you a thing it is a no brainer.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by mrock on May 27, 2009 - 12:43 PM
If someone developed as good products as Microsoft does, he sure wouldn't give it away for free.
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by kmjbrown on May 28, 2009 - 09:28 PM
Microsoft has definately dominated the software market for years, and has tried hard to keep down the competition. The only way to change that is for the market to move toward open source software. Because coporate America is so intergrated with Microsoft it will be a long time before we will see a strong move away from this giant.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by ScottSnders on May 31, 2009 - 03:39 PM
I think Microsoft will be just fine, a company that size didn't get to where they are by being stupid. They will adapt.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by j7carter7 on May 31, 2009 - 09:09 PM
I think though that microsoft would still survive. They've become a brand. Of course they'd have to focus on quality a lot too.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by beerpong9 on May 31, 2009 - 09:16 PM
hard to believe microsoft could ever be "killed"...
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by Hikrguy on Jun 01, 2009 - 04:25 PM
As long as the world uses 90% windows boxes I don't think Microsoft has anything to worry about.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by brandon007 on Jun 02, 2009 - 07:50 AM
And that shows once again that even an empire like Microsoft isn't safe. They have been sitting back for years thanks to their dominant position instead of creating.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by holland (holland@googlemail.com)
on Jun 02, 2009 - 01:24 PM
Like any company out there Microsoft needs to adjust to changes in the market, which it has not needed to do because of their monopoly. All this has changed now, would be interesting to see if they really have the clever heads to move the business forward.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by YanV on Jun 02, 2009 - 03:21 PM
Nice thought! :-) But unlikely. However, MS has proven that it will go to great lengths to preserve its monopoly and income stream. Over time, commercial and open source software will continue to develope side-by-side and, probably, learn to co-exist. If somewhat uneasily.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by keithrogen on Jun 02, 2009 - 09:10 PM
Just like anything in life, of course one day Microsoft will fall. Technology is advancing everyday, unless they stay on top of it and adapt, they're going to become obsolete EVENTUALLY. Microsoft seems pretty resilient though, so I don't expect to see them going anywhere soon.
By the way, OpenOffice IS good enough. :) Internet pirating is already hurting the profit margins for software companies as it is...
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by EdieMac on Jun 03, 2009 - 07:10 AM
It will only make MrSoftee improve their software.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by firstnamesoftware on Jun 04, 2009 - 04:18 AM
Yes, microsoft loss their profit by half and their vista is a very disappointing software that I have ever seen and now they are again making a new one windows 7 which I think again will do the same, its better to use linux or mac software.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by bereza on Jun 06, 2009 - 04:02 AM
I'm sure it will not kill Microsoft.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by EStreet on Jun 06, 2009 - 03:19 PM
This could turn out to be a very bad deal for Miscrosoft, will be interesting to see where this goes.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by rgarciacandu on Jun 06, 2009 - 10:27 PM
The only free software that I think can really affect Microsoft are Google's hosted applications, which allow for Microsoft docs, presentations, excel documents. It hasn't built a massive usage yet, but I know High School kids that hardly ever use office, only Google.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by Montezfutard on Jun 07, 2009 - 04:22 AM
This is an interesting turn.
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by jaybert123 on Jun 08, 2009 - 06:05 AM
Re: Ex-Microsoft Employee: Free Software Will Kill Microsoft
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by tiberguy (franklin@tcc5.com)
on Jun 22, 2009 - 11:40 AM
Not only will free apps kill MS's business - think: Encarta - but their lack of good coding and caring attitude toward their user base is their doom!
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