Linked by Eugenia Loli-Queru on Fri 3rd Feb 2006 07:46 UTC
VMware, an EMC subsidiary whose software lets multiple operating systems run on the same computer, is expected to announce next week that it will begin giving away one of its key products for free, CNET News.com has learned.
Thread beginning with comment 92363
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
RE: Pre-empting a Netscape-esque demise
by mlb2000 on Fri 3rd Feb 2006 19:40
in reply to "Pre-empting a Netscape-esque demise"
Member since:2005-09-07
Recent Original Stories
Recent Comments
Headlines
Random Comments
Random Stories
Random OS Link
Member since:
2005-07-06
This is ringing bells in my head of a lesson learned from Netscape's days. The basics of the situation are the same: you have one company (Netscape or VMware) producing the leading (by far) product in a category. MS comes along, blows the bottom of the market and things go into free-fall. Who won? MS. What did Netscape do too late? It released its Communicator suite for free. Also, it didn't "innovate" and keep up with standards as well as it could have.
VMware is in a doubly-serious situation with the presence of the excellent Xen. This open-source and buzzing product will give both MS and VMware a run for their money.
This is history repeating itself, but VMware is more savvy and strategic than Netscape was.
On a related note: I got Ubuntu to run under windows using their free player. THAT is useful and will get shovels of brownie points chucked at VMware.