Hi Mike

>I believe that MS (as well as SAP, Oracle, etc,) has created an enormous "bubble" of IT expenditures which will eventually burst - much >like we have seen in Real Estate. Businesses CANNOT absorb / implement the technology at that pace. They are beginning to realize >that the costs far outweigh the incremental benefits. For example, I work for a company with over 200,000 employees and I can tell you >that there are NO plans to move beyond WinXP in the near future. And who in the hell really needs a "ribbon" toolbar in the first place. :)

+1 :)

Of course the near-monopoly situation enjoyed by the companies mentioned above - in contravention with US "spirit of law" - just helped feed the beast. Another recent US tragedy that roots in the decision not to break MS in a smart way - competition-and-business-enhancing - when that was appropriate. And smart. I can remember the great US practice of anti-monopoly legislation. But that seems to belong to history ...

By the way, talking about law and spirit of law, I am wondering if most of you are really aware of what is taking place on the financial front. Readers of Zerohedge of naked capitalism among you? You can be an IT expert and have some strong opinion on what is taking place in this critical area of our lives. I meant money. I feel at pain when I read what I read the US finance blogosphere. So smart and courageous. But utterly depressing.