Originally posted by EternalOne:
I love all the anti-Microsoft posts, it just cracks me up. Have you ever taken the time to consider what our lives would be like without Microsoft? Do you think we'd be where we are today in the computing world? Do you understand how much money is put into R&D by MS every year?



Yes. Have you considered how much innovation there might NOT be if MS was the only game in town? Do you really think they'd sink that much into R&D if they could just coast on existing technology & burp up the occasional upgrade? Besides, I never said I was anti-MS, I just don't trust them based on past behavior.

Originally posted by EternalOne:
I've been the lead sys admin on major companies in my past, supporting both Linux and Windows networks. I'd much rather admin a windows network than a Linux network any day. (And I was an original HP/UX Kernel programmer back in the day, so its not like I don't know what I'm doing on UNIX.)



With you on that one, but let me ask you: Do you perceive anything wrong with Linux & others offering an alternative to MS? I would hope not. Sure, Linux is not the big kid on the block, but they are serving their purpose, I think.

Originally posted by EternalOne:
People can [censored] and moan all they want, but without Microsoft dumping billions into small companies like mine each year, there is no way we'd be where we are today. In terms of usability, gaming, networking, everything. Who do you think helped fund the Cisco core-router project that brought the net to life?



See my response to your first paragraph. The innovations & pushing/steering of technology is in their best interest with other companies nipping at their heels. And of course, they like to steer that technology in their own favor to keep themselves at the top of the food chain. Can't blame them there, I'd do the same and I think that's fine. Keeps the technology moving and guys like you in business.

Originally posted by EternalOne:
Call me a sheep all you want, but I'll sit in my a/c office, working on my windows machines, coding .Net and DirectX, managing a windows network, all while laughing all the way to the bank.



Sound business sense you do not lack. You go with the major player. I would too.

It would seem we're on the same side in this, for the most part. Hooray for us. But I'd like to keep the others in the fight, just to keep MS honest & the journey interesting. I hope you have a more clear understanding of my position on MS. Whether you agree with it or not is another matter.

By the way, when is this Vista projected to get to market?

Must be that jumbly-wumbly thing happening again.