Hi Gerry,

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This "event" might be worth marking on the calendar.

I have occassion to visit some pretty obscure news groups and forums on the Web when I'm looking for software. I was surprised at the extent to which the "coming generation" despises Microsoft's tactics and sneers at its "XP" philosophy. They have no use for Windows and have no use for any of MS's products; the "registration" (crap) solidifies their position. It won't happen tomorrow, but one day these "kids" will be writing PO's and it won't be for MS software. They're using free compilers from Borland and cutting their teeth on commercial grade open source applications. Word has it that (some number of) Universities are also going the Linux route simply because of Open Source. The hassle of staying "legal" with MS has become too much and many cannot be bothered with it anymore.
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I have it marked and I'm watching for the fall-out. I don't expect it to massive and sudden. I expect that slowly but surely people will drift away from Microsoft and one day MS will wake up and notice the drift. Competitors cannot easily pull customers from Microsoft. But Microsoft can certainly push customers away.

And I believe they'll adjust to bring people back to them. Gates is a champion. He ~must~ win. It's just that right now I think they're taking steps that will make many [honest] customers furious.

In the mean time, I agree with your observations. People will feel bullied by Microsoft. People will see MS software getting more expensive. And gradually, people will realize they have alternatives. And they will seek the path of least resistance.

Guy