>>Thats pretty funny. But just wait till the customer trys to buy a non-Ford only to find out it won't run on 85% of the roads. Who "innovated" that? :-)
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>Indeed. This is my problem with C#. Microsoft was unable to "control" Java. So, it basically cuts its losses there, creates a "new" language, and drops support for anything related to Java.
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>But I think it is very important for all of us, the customers and developers to realize that we are complicit in much of Microsoft's hegemony. And indeed, when they were perceived as more of an ally, it was easier to, um to put it delicately shall we say, "submit to their blandishments". I think it is really important for us to preserve the roadway for everyone.
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>>Or, goes to a dealer and although buying another car, has to take home a Ford, too, and can't get a refund on the unused Ford. The dealer can't sell any cars if he doesn't sell a Ford along with all the others.
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>Yes. To me that is a very clear-cut case of bullying, both of customers and of hardware distributors. I thought this was finally declared illegal and that they were supposed to stop.
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>What I find REALLY pathetic in all this is that Microsoft used to compete on technical grounds using innovative technical means. Now they are just acting like IBM in the 90's. ("YOU WILL USE SNA!!") Who would of thunk it?

I used to believe that until I researched what they've 'innovated' compared with what they have bought or stolen. In the beginning MS competed mainly on price.