NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS 08/18/04 Today's focus: Mailbag: Most readers agree that Microsoft should halt development for a while
Dear [EMAIL PROTECTED], In this issue: * Readers chime in on whether we need that much new software ��from Microsoft * Links related to Windows Networking Tips * Featured reader resource _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle An Economist Intelligence Unit White Paper: From Grid to Great? Grid computing is breaking out. Familiar mostly to academics, government groups, and scientific researchers, this technology that links together the power of diverse computers to create powerful, fast and flexible systems is beginning to catch on in the corporate world. Included in this white paper, results and interviews from a global survey among Sr Executives, click to download now http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72606 _______________________________________________________________ CHECK OUT NW FUSION'S NEW WHITE PAPER LIBRARY Just launched: NW Fusion's White Paper Library with new features and improved capabilities! Sort NW Fusion's library of white papers by Date and Vendor, view white papers by TECHNICAL CATEGORY, mouse over white paper descriptions and take advantage of our IMPROVED white paper search engine. CLICK HERE: http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72534 _______________________________________________________________ Today's focus: Mailbag: Most readers agree that Microsoft should halt development for a while By Dave Kearns There was an overwhelming outpouring of response to last week's "Do we really need that much new software from Microsoft?" newsletter (see link below). While some of you thought it was a bit anti-Microsoft (e.g., "I think you're blowing your anti-Microsoft rhetoric way out of proportion here...") most of the correspondence came down heavily on the side of fixing - once and for all - the existing services, applications and operating systems. I'll get to some of those comments in a moment, but one thing I mentioned in passing did draw some thoughtful response. I used the prediction (by Bill Gates) that Microsoft would apply for 3,000 patents in fiscal year 2005 as an indication that new development was out of control. But as more than one thoughtful reader pointed out, this is just one more indication that the patent system is broken, not that Microsoft's development is running amok. In today's climate of "patent it, then sue," Microsoft may simply be trying to protect the functions and methods that have been in use for a while. It's fallout, and an obvious one at that, from the ridiculous verdict in the Eolas lawsuit against Microsoft (see "Beware the patent office" <http://www.nwfusion.com/columnists/2003/0825kearns.html> ). Redmond knows that unless it locks down a patent on everything it does, some other bozo will - and then use it to sue Microsoft, and will most likely win. While it's to be hoped that the Eolas decision is overturned on appeal, Microsoft probably feels it's better to not have to rely on the whim of a judge. As I said, most respondents agreed that they'd like to see a break in development, if only so that they can catch up. As one person put it: "The truth is that by the time we get an installation completed, build supporting programming to customize things for our environment, and generally get things operable to the point where we actually benefit from the software, Microsoft has moved to the next {Operating System, Office System, Programming System, etc.} and made our investment (that we never profited from) obsolete." A number of you recommended that Microsoft (and other software vendors) take time off to thoroughly rewrite its code to ensure it is both secure and bug free. That could be a problem, though, for the vendor's sales and marketing people and for its channel partners who would have nothing to do. Still, Microsoft (and Novell and IBM and others) do have deep pockets and could afford to forego some revenue while they got the products right. Would that be enough for us? Would we be happy? Would we jump for joy and dance in the street? In the eloquent words of one reader: "While I might smile quietly to myself and give Microsoft a gentle golf-clap for taking a step back and fixing their stuff before they flood us with new brokenware, you won't see me leap up in any sort of a school-girl rush of passionate cheering for the Beast of Redmond if it simply chooses to do the right thing." There's an image to conjure with. RELATED EDITORIAL LINKS Do we really need that much new software from Microsoft? Network World Windows Networking Tips Newsletter, 08/11/04 http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/nt/2004/0809nt2.html _______________________________________________________________ To contact: Dave Kearns Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>. Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management. Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these respective addresses: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> _______________________________________________________________ This newsletter is sponsored by Oracle An Economist Intelligence Unit White Paper: From Grid to Great? Grid computing is breaking out. Familiar mostly to academics, government groups, and scientific researchers, this technology that links together the power of diverse computers to create powerful, fast and flexible systems is beginning to catch on in the corporate world. Included in this white paper, results and interviews from a global survey among Sr Executives, click to download now http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=72606 _______________________________________________________________ ARCHIVE LINKS Breaking Windows networking news from Network World, updated daily: http://www.nwfusion.com/topics/win2000.html Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter: http://www.nwfusion.com/newsletters/nt/index.html _______________________________________________________________ FEATURED READER RESOURCE WONDERING IF YOUR PAY IS UP TO SNUFF? Check out Network World's 2004 Salary Calculator to see if you're getting paid what you're worth. Using data collected in the 2004 Network World Salary Survey, we've programmed this calculator with several categories that could affect your pay. Answer the questions and find out what the average salary is for your job category. Click here: <http://www.nwfusion.com/salary/2004/calculator.html> _______________________________________________________________ May We Send You a Free Print Subscription? You've got the technology snapshot of your choice delivered at your fingertips each day. Now, extend your knowledge by receiving 51 FREE issues to our print publication. 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