Another Vista Piracy Story

Most of this has already been said in the other stories I linked to, but I liked this story because it made a suggestion as to why Microsoft is going to all this effort to protect the software (and cause more work for IT staffs)…

Microsoft’s actions may be an attempt to protect its existing revenue stream even as it shifts to a new operating system and new delivery model, said Carmi Levy, analyst with the Info-tech Research Group last month.

With the future of boxed software being called into question, Microsoft needs to work harder than ever to protect its business, said Mr. Levy (see Microsoft’s Suing Spree).

The latest technologies in Vista could be its attempt to ensure that it does not lose out on significant chunks of revenue from what could become its next money spinner.

So the implication here is that Microsoft is scared, because – a) people are looking at other operating systems meaning Linux and Apple, b) people are looking at using products that don’t require that the software is installed on every machine, meaning things like Google and their on-line offerings.

Microsoft Lock-in

This short posting takes a different look at Microsoft and how they try to lock customers into their platform. I usually see it from the desktop and database side, the author says that battle is over and Microsoft is going after the 'network of files in an organization'.

He says the newest way for Microsoft to get a hold of you and not let go, is to get SharePoint installed in your organization. Its cheap, fast to install and once people start using it you can't get them off it. Since everyone becomes so addicted to the service, you can't take it away from them or change how it works.

That is exactly what Microsoft wants.