Comment Re:Extraordinary array (6) (Score 1) 500
Not a good comparison IMHO.
paint: works on standard image file formats.
notepad: works on ascii text files.
calculator: works on numbers.
These work on MS defined standards and WILL lock out other vendors.
- Internet Explorer (browser);
- MSN Explorer (browser);
- Windows Media Player (media player);
- Windows Messenger (instant messaging client);
- Outlook Express (e-mail client); and
- Windows Movie Maker (video editor)
One common business practise is to provide free stuff for basic functionalities and then charge for premium functions (e.g. realplayer). MS is forcing the free stuff up window users' asses and it reduces users' willingness to download similar programs, which may work using another format and is free.
paint: works on standard image file formats.
notepad: works on ascii text files.
calculator: works on numbers.
These work on MS defined standards and WILL lock out other vendors.
- Internet Explorer (browser);
- MSN Explorer (browser);
- Windows Media Player (media player);
- Windows Messenger (instant messaging client);
- Outlook Express (e-mail client); and
- Windows Movie Maker (video editor)
One common business practise is to provide free stuff for basic functionalities and then charge for premium functions (e.g. realplayer). MS is forcing the free stuff up window users' asses and it reduces users' willingness to download similar programs, which may work using another format and is free.