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"internet portals?"

This isn't about portals (portals are so Web 1.0). It's about advertising revenues and search both of which are extremely lucrative. They are in the business of making money.

Edited 2007-05-04 16:20

Some people around here, and I am looking directly at you jayson.knight need to read what they write and take notice;

They are in the business of making money.

That is what Microsoft is about. It is not about a better user experience, it is not about making the products the best products for you, it is just about making a product that will sell.

They have no loyalty to you, why do you have it for them ?

There is already a Vista soft drink: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/279428_theinsider31.html =]

"What's next? Microsoft cars? Microsoft brooms? Microsoft tomatoes? Does the world need more mediocre products?"

LMAO!

Up next, Microsoft condoms, followed immediately by the next baby boom!

Up next, Microsoft condoms, followed immediately by the next baby boom!

The new company slogan could be

"Who do you want to f**k today?"

GE. Sheesh, they make light bulbs - do they really need to make washers and dryers and jet engines and give bank loans?

Seriously though, think of General Electric. They started off simply as a lighting company making light bulbs. Over time they have evolved and grown into a giant conglomerate.

From GE: "From jet engines to power generation, financial services to plastics, and medical imaging to news and information ..."
GE Commercial Finance
GE Healthcare
GE Industrial
GE Infrastructure
GE Money
NBC Universal
Each of which has several companies and business units of their own.

Microsoft is currently trying to dominate the computer market in all aspects. Much as GE started off making light bulbs, Microsoft began with a BASIC interpreter for the Altair. They now make arguably the worlds most widely used operating system and the most widely used office application suite. Then comes the XBox, enter the console entertainment industry. The keyboard and mice are an attempt to enhance they way you use their products.

More effort will be spent for many many years directly in the computer electronics market, but eventually I see Microsoft branching out into completely unrelated areas of technology and business. Why? Because they can, and they're good at it.

the problem is that they have to grow to keep those stupid shareholders happy
ms is #1 when it comes to office software and operatingsystems. the only way for them to grow is to enter new markets. and thats what the did and do

It is simple. They have money to spend. They have to invest it somewhere. I am not an expert on US tax law, but if someone just sits on the money there is more tax to pay, I think.

There is even more diversity in Japanese corporations like Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki.... It is safer, if one sector is performing bad, the others will keep company afloat.

hat's next? Microsoft cars? Microsoft brooms? Microsoft tomatoes? Does the world need more mediocre products?

I once read that the MS will only create a product that doesn't suck once it decides to enter the vacuum cleaner market...

"I once read that the MS will only create a product that doesn't suck once it decides to enter the vacuum cleaner market..."

I can just see their ad slogan:

Buy MS Vacuum Cleaners, 'cause we know a lot about sucking!

@pandronic
I really don't understand why Microsoft has to compete with everyone in the industry ... I mean - they make OSs and office applications - do they need to make mice, consoles, security software, internet portals? It's ridiculous.

What's next? Microsoft cars? Microsoft brooms? Microsoft tomatoes? Does the world need more mediocre products?

Couldn't have said it better myself.