Microsoft targets VMware with new strategy

Software maker buys Calista Technologies, broadens partnership with Citrix in aim to better compete with virtualization leader.

The story "Microsoft targets VMware with new strategy" published January 21, 2008 at 10:02 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[baisa]

Has MS *EVER* had an original idea?

I am wracking my brains trying to remember if Microsoft has EVER had an original product or innovative feature in its entire history as a company. I think maybe offering BASIC for sale for hobby computers (in the mid-70's) was innovative. Since then, I think the model has been to wait for other ideas to emerge, then copy them. Sometimes well (Excel, Mouse, XBox, SQL Server) often not (Word, DOS, Windows, Zune).

With the market for Office and Windows slowly being clipped/eroded/devalued in bits and pieces (and this kind of erosion typically does an end-dive quickly) what will be left of Microsoft if they don't learn to actually create new things?

[MMC Racing]

Most companies only improve on others..

Was Sony bad for bringing out the playstation? Was Apple bad from bringing out the iPod.. Really original ideas are hard to come by and most items in the marketplace are improvements on existing items (functionality, price, looks, etc).. Virtualization has roots in time sharing development in the 1960's.

[wildchild_plasma_gyro]

Ideas of microsoft very own.

a couple of bits in their WMV codec that didn't quite fit with the concept.
lots of bits here and there in the noise filters.
the colours of their flag.
Howver yes micrsoft is a bunch of mindcontroling wankers and although they please there feble minds from time to time wonders do never cease in a world without a true competitor.
Yes i would critisise microsofts lack of dynamic thinking and over standadisation with out real care. Perhaps someones to bussy pressing the panic button on its employies minds and pressing the appulause button to much in the execuative suite.
Yep you read this right Mind Control what you got a problem with dat.

[baisa]

Has MS *EVER* had an original idea?

I am wracking my brains trying to remember if Microsoft has EVER had an original product or innovative feature in its entire history as a company. I think maybe offering BASIC for sale for hobby computers (in the mid-70's) was innovative. Since then, I think the model has been to wait for other ideas to emerge, then copy them. Sometimes well (Excel, Mouse, XBox, SQL Server) often not (Word, DOS, Windows, Zune).

With the market for Office and Windows slowly being clipped/eroded/devalued in bits and pieces (and this kind of erosion typically does an end-dive quickly) what will be left of Microsoft if they don't learn to actually create new things?

[MMC Racing]

Most companies only improve on others..

Was Sony bad for bringing out the playstation? Was Apple bad from bringing out the iPod.. Really original ideas are hard to come by and most items in the marketplace are improvements on existing items (functionality, price, looks, etc).. Virtualization has roots in time sharing development in the 1960's.

[wildchild_plasma_gyro]

Ideas of microsoft very own.

a couple of bits in their WMV codec that didn't quite fit with the concept.
lots of bits here and there in the noise filters.
the colours of their flag.
Howver yes micrsoft is a bunch of mindcontroling wankers and although they please there feble minds from time to time wonders do never cease in a world without a true competitor.
Yes i would critisise microsofts lack of dynamic thinking and over standadisation with out real care. Perhaps someones to bussy pressing the panic button on its employies minds and pressing the appulause button to much in the execuative suite.
Yep you read this right Mind Control what you got a problem with dat.

[inachu]

Modiefied OS code to stop VMware illegal

The more and more competitors there are to use windows operating systems in future unthinkable ways then to have Microsoft change the base code to windows so those competitors are unable to use windows in the way they are accustomed to is anticompetitive behavior in the purest of terms.

Microsoft will never learn.

[paulej]

What?

I do not know exactly what you were trying to say, but I gather that you are of the mind that Microsoft is not at liberty to change its software?!?!

I know there are many who view Microsoft as a monopoly, but I do not. For years, I have had a choice to use Apple or Linux. In fact, I do use Linux. Even so, I use Windows as my desktop operating system.

I have always had a choice in office productivity tools, but I prefer Office.

There is a certain growing hatred toward Microsoft that is not properly founded.

There is no question that Microsoft has killed some competitors, including Borland's developmet products, Stac Electronics, Netscape, etc. Many, however, tripped over their own feet, including Lotus, WordPerfect, and Borland (Quatro Pro).

Microsoft has never faced more competition today with Apple gaining strength and more applications moving into the Internet, not to mention all of the open source products.

I still buy Microsoft products, because I prefer them. I suspect many others do the same.

[inachu]

Modiefied OS code to stop VMware illegal

The more and more competitors there are to use windows operating systems in future unthinkable ways then to have Microsoft change the base code to windows so those competitors are unable to use windows in the way they are accustomed to is anticompetitive behavior in the purest of terms.

Microsoft will never learn.

[paulej]

What?

I do not know exactly what you were trying to say, but I gather that you are of the mind that Microsoft is not at liberty to change its software?!?!

I know there are many who view Microsoft as a monopoly, but I do not. For years, I have had a choice to use Apple or Linux. In fact, I do use Linux. Even so, I use Windows as my desktop operating system.

I have always had a choice in office productivity tools, but I prefer Office.

There is a certain growing hatred toward Microsoft that is not properly founded.

There is no question that Microsoft has killed some competitors, including Borland's developmet products, Stac Electronics, Netscape, etc. Many, however, tripped over their own feet, including Lotus, WordPerfect, and Borland (Quatro Pro).

Microsoft has never faced more competition today with Apple gaining strength and more applications moving into the Internet, not to mention all of the open source products.

I still buy Microsoft products, because I prefer them. I suspect many others do the same.