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...Like it or not, we need Linux and Mac OS X....
Well, we need Linux. OSX, whatever its merits, is just not competing in the same space as Windows.
Why? Because the only way you can get it is by buying Apple hardware. This means it is not an effective competitor. Its competing in a different segment altogether.
Please note: I am not saying (here) that this is good or bad. I am not saying that Apple should or shouldn't do anything different. This is a very restricted factual point about market segementation, not about company strategy. But, it is true. If Apple were to go away from the computer business tomorrow, it would make little difference to Windows' competitive situation.
Now if Linux were to vanish....




Member since:
2006-01-14
Microsoft has really dug itself into quite a hole now. It owns such a large market share that its a monopoly. And due to their short sightedness or maybe their money first attitude, has caused the creation of several markets based almost wholey on their product. NOw they are in a catch 22. If they fix the problems to make their product better, they eliminate the need for that market. And since they are a monopoly, everything they do has legal consequences to it. This is proof of why a multi vendor market is needed. Like it or not, we need Linux and Mac OS X, and so does MS. While you cant really put free out of business, think about the sh**storm that would ensue if Apple went under. The feds would have no choice but to break up MS just to jump start the OS market. Why do you think MS invested in Apple? To help preserve them as a competitor.