| Creativity is what spurred the growth of the | | | | Microsoft is still to understand and embrace |
| computer industry and technology. Challenges | | | | the new world order. The dependency on its |
| were met and new frontiers conquered through | | | | old successes, Windows and Office, lingers |
| sharp-edged innovations and competition. | | | | and any innovations are snuffed out as they |
| Sadly, over the years small companies like | | | | germinate if they are perceived as threats to |
| Microsoft grew into giants and then lost | | | | the old monoliths. |
| their thirst for adventure. They | | | | |
| deliberately hid their proprietary source | | | | When examined closely one finds that it is |
| code and this stunted innovation. Like a drug | | | | not lack of imagination or effort but the |
| peddlers they have created a "Microsoft" | | | | corporate culture and business practices that |
| addiction among computer users. And, then | | | | drag innovation to the ground. However a |
| used the dependency to charge exorbitant | | | | glimmer of hope emerges from the statement |
| prices. | | | | made by Bill Gates, that Microsoft plans to |
| | | | open source both Windows and Office in |
| Since Microsoft does not believe in promoting | | | | keeping with present day trends. |
| open source technology even with intellectual | | | | |
| property protection it hampers the faster | | | | Also on the net are what are perceived to be |
| development of technology and discourages | | | | "pr stunts" memos by senior Microsoft leaders |
| others from even attempting improvements or | | | | expressing concern over loss of technological |
| changes. In blunt terms , Microsoft functions | | | | advancements and market leadership and that |
| like the Chicago thugs did early this | | | | the company sucks at innovation. Being a |
| century. It maintains a strangle hold on PC | | | | monopoly with insatiable hunger for money the |
| users and sellers and creates strategies that | | | | company has had a narrow vision over the |
| prevent hardware manufacturers from using | | | | years. Its dealings have created great |
| systems like Netscape. | | | | mistrust among users as well as business |
| | | | partners. There is no admiration or trust |
| Time and again the company has held other | | | | amongst techies and, Microsoft has become its |
| businesses and computer users at ransom with | | | | own enemy. |
| it monopoly on Widows and the Intel platform. | | | | |
| In fact a court ruled that Microsoft | | | | While Skype introduced phone calls over the |
| illegally stunted innovation and did | | | | web, Apple moved with the pace of the cyber |
| injustice to consumers. The company however | | | | world and created downloadable digital |
| always maintains that its practices are just | | | | content, and Google improvised internet |
| competitive behavior. | | | | search and developed a new online advertising |
| | | | model. Microsoft stagnated bogged in its own |
| In fact a few years ago, the EC found | | | | success. And, the truth is that Live Software |
| Microsoft guilty of harming the market and | | | | cannot be termed as innovation, it is a |
| consumer by producing less choice and higher | | | | revamp at best. |
| prices. For abusing its monopoly Microsoft | | | | |
| was fined 497.2 million pounds. | | | | Microsoft needs to take a closer look at |
| | | | itself, shed its inhibitions and shackles to |
| Trapped in its early ways of thinking, | | | | innovate, to lead, to embrace the future. |