07-29-2002, 11:30 PM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1107-946250.html
Microsoft has taken some hits over the years and seems to often be the company people love to hate. Hey, when you are at the top of the heap, you make an easy target. I'll quickly list the reasons why Microsoft is a good company, but I encourage you to go read the details.
10. Microsoft drives computing costs down
9. Microsoft has been instrumental in bringing computing to ordinary people
8. Microsoft employees absolutely love their company
7. Microsoft pays loads in taxes
6. Its founder has donated more money to charity than anyone in history
5. Microsoft creates a computing economy worth far greater than its own net worth
4. One of the largest R&D budgets in the industry
3. Microsoft takes risks
2. A beacon of profitability in a sea of red ink
1. No accounting scandals at Microsoft
Being an accountant, the #1 reason is a bit funny to me. In fact, Microsoft underwent some SEC scrutiny and got a minor wrist-slapping recently. Seems they were under reporting some revenue items, being overly conservative, and were forced to change their earnings upwards.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:02 AM
|
|
Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 41
|
|
I agree with most of these. But number 7 is a myth. Coporations don't pay taxes. They merely collect taxes from customers, employees, and shareholders and forward them to the government.
I don't think the computer industry would be nearly as advanced today without Microsoft... they made a standard that made software profitable.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:08 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 105
|
|
There's ten reasons why people hate Microsoft, cos many people might agree with those statements, but the reality is the complete opposite, Microsoft bloatware has been responsible for holding back creative software and hardware solutions for the sole purpose of keeping one man in riches beyond belief, he is giving it away because of the utter absurdity of one man having a thousand billion dollars while a third of the world starves.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:12 AM
|
|
Theorist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 300
|
|
That article generated some interesting discussions on ZD, but it was more entertaining to read people expressing their pure hatered and discontent for Microsoft. 
Btw, is there a way to see all of the posts on ZD at the same time without having to go from one post to the other?
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:12 AM
|
|
Pontificator
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,466
|
|
Re: Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
10. Microsoft drives computing costs down.
|
It's a shame this can't be said for Microsoft's existence in the PDA market. :roll:
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:21 AM
|
|
Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
|
|
Re: Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
10. Microsoft drives computing costs down.
|
It's a shame this can't be said for Microsoft's existence in the PDA market. :roll: |
Hey they got to make money somewhere.... yeah right from what I understand they aren't making a whole lot on PPC OS.... maybe 25-30 dollars a unit.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:28 AM
|
|
Ponderer
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 68
|
|
Under Reporting
Not sure of the case with MS, but under reporting can be just as much a dodge as over reporting. Some do it to withhold it from a very good period so they can report it on a down cycle.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:30 AM
|
|
Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 8,228
|
|
Re: Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
It's a shame this can't be said for Microsoft's existence in the PDA market. :roll:
|
I figured you'd jump on that one.
Lessee. Take a non-Microsoft solution and:
� Play music while on business trips
� Record my voice so I can safely capture ideas in the car.
� Workable email solution that supports IMAP4 and POP3.
� Not force me to learn a proprietary input method
� Terminal Server capabilites
� Inexpensive and non-proprietary ethernet access
� Inexpensive and non-proprietary modem dialup
� Basic web access
� Ability to switch between apps without having them close down. (Think productivity here and cost of someones salary)
Before you say "Wait - who needs all of that!?!" look at what Palm is moving towards in OS5 and beyond.
I'd say pound for pound, Microsoft offers more bang for the buck in their offerings, assuming you want more than PIM.
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:37 AM
|
|
Oracle
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 864
|
|
Re: Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Ed Hansberry
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
It's a shame this can't be said for Microsoft's existence in the PDA market. :roll:
|
I figured you'd jump on that one.
Lessee. Take a non-Microsoft solution and:
� Play music while on business trips
� Record my voice so I can safely capture ideas in the car.
� Workable email solution that supports IMAP4 and POP3.
� Not force me to learn a proprietary input method
� Terminal Server capabilites
� Inexpensive and non-proprietary ethernet access
� Inexpensive and non-proprietary modem dialup
� Basic web access
� Ability to switch between apps without having them close down. (Think productivity here and cost of someones salary)
Before you say "Wait - who needs all of that!?!" look at what Palm is moving towards in OS5 and beyond.
I'd say pound for pound, Microsoft offers more bank for the buck in their offerings, assuming you want more than PIM. |
Good points, even if Palm matches with OS 5 , which I don't think it will since it's tied to the ball and chain of maintaining compatibility, Microsoft will have a chance to improve upon what they already have while Palm contimues to play catch up, not to mention work out all the bugs assosciated witha new OS, I mean come on when people say Palm is rock solid I should hope so they had what, 6 or so years to do it?
|
| |
|
|
|
07-30-2002, 12:47 AM
|
|
Thinker
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 355
|
|
Re: Top 10 reasons Microsoft is a good citizen
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Foo Fighter
It's a shame this can't be said for Microsoft's existence in the PDA market. :roll:
|
i don't know the exact dollar figure, but i think when ms sells an oem the pocket pc os it's a small $ per unit, maybe $40 or so?
cheers,
pt
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Linear Mode
