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Nonsense, R&D costs IBM on every platform!
I just shake my head when I see the open source crowd put IBM up as their champion. Sure IBM is using Linux, why not, it costs them next to nothing...

The difference between Windows and Linux is that IBM is allowwed to innovate on LINUX and only MS is allowed to innovate on Windows. Face it, MS had IBM as a partner and they burnt their bridge. MS's wildest dreams would have IBM selling Windows on mainframes, but they flat out blew it - made their bed so to speak!

Do you understand scalability? There are mathematics which explain why OSS is improving faster than MSware. Metcalfe's law (value scales as n squared)? Reed's Law (value scales as 2 to the n)?

In a nutshell, because all innovation in MS's products comes from Redmond, it can not scale as a function of the sixe of its user base. The ability of MS's products to improve is constrained by the number and vision of those with access to its source base. The size of the user base has little bearing on the ability of the product to improve.

Since anyone (even MS) can benefit from studying OSS it is inherently advantaged with respect to innovation. Since any user can add value if so motivated, the size of the user base has more impact on the ability of the product to improve.

Its simple math, called scalability, MS can't compete and it knows it that's why its finally agreeing to open up its interfaces. If it can't control everything at least it can hope to "partner" with its customers before they all go "poof".

For more info:

http://www.mgt.smsu.edu/mgt487/mgtissue/newstrat/metcalfe.htm
http://www.reed.com/Papers/GFN/reedslaw.html
Posted by: oldskool   Posted on: 04/15/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Now did that hurt anybody? And, is it complete?  oldskool | 04/15/04
Good for everyone,,,, except Open Source.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
On OOo, yes... on StarOffice, no  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
Star Office is not open source...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
What's broken in this thinking is its not OSS that's shut out -  oldskool | 04/15/04
Problem is MS only has one hand  Jay Cash | 04/15/04
True, that's why users love MS products.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
This is not a Microsoft problem  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
Sorry, I have to disagree.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Users did not make Office the standard!  oldskool | 04/15/04
So then how is it...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Why is it then that...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Well????  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Users did not make Office the standard!  seosamh_z | 04/15/04
You "Office makes the world go round" guys are too funny  oldskool | 04/16/04
Then Open Source needs to start preempting MS  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
How can open source...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
A couple things...  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
Balmer answered this question himself  oldskool | 04/15/04
Then Open Source needs to start preempting MS  seosamh_z | 04/15/04
100% spot on.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Nonsense, R&D costs IBM on every platform!  oldskool | 04/15/04
Say what?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Ya gotta admit, MS would be awsome if they focused!  oldskool | 04/15/04
Actually, it's easier than that  IT_User | 04/15/04
BSD is Open Source  Yagotta B. Kidding | 04/15/04
When you "close the door"  Jay Cash | 04/15/04
True, I always...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
What does Linus T. say about it?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
MS may actually benefit the industry  IT_User | 04/15/04
Interesting and thoughtful post.  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Yes but..  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Doesn't bitty ever get tired of hearing himself crow?  Spam-ZD | 04/16/04
GPL not tested in court???  IT_User | 04/16/04
Patent wars?  IT_User | 04/16/04
Whoa, back up a couple of feet.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
this has nothing to do with open source  V Sanders | 04/15/04
Mountain out of a molehill, as usual, Axe...  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Unless you get caught of course.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Huh??  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
I was talking about your example.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Even so.....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Wrong...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Explain that one to me please....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
From Microsoft's web site:  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Did that explain it Jose?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Yeah, here's your license.....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
So you agree, you must have a license.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
I never said you didn't  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
So your claim...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Is this where you smugly claim to have won the debate?  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Don't be so hard on No_Ax...  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
What has that to do with the discusion..  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Just helpiing your arguement about the evils of Open Source  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
There did that help your little ego?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No ego involved here, not even needed!  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
Daid the little one that can't post without insults.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No_Ax, is that the best you can do?  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
NO, I can't come close to your insultive behaviour.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No_Ax, a quick serach on google will show that you have gone farther!  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
isn't that like stalking  V Sanders | 04/15/04

What do you think?

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