Microsoft is not in the business of crafting operating systems, Microsoft is in the business of leveraging the power law distribution of operating system market share into an effective monopoly.

When I can keep a class spreadsheet in the cloud and get at it from anywhere using a browser without really caring which operating system is running underneath, and we see programmers programming to various browsers and browser plug-ins, the termites have got to the load bearing beams.

Meanwhile, GM can build pluggable battery electric share cars and pluggable battery electric short haul container haulers and continue in their same basic business model for decades. I'd rather hold Ford stock long-term than GM stock, but I'd rather hold GM stock than Chrysler ... as the industry downsizes, the number of transnational firms with substantial US manufacturing will decline.


I've been accused of being a Marxist, yet while Harpo's my favourite, it's Groucho I'm always quoting. Odd, that.