Peridyd's Progress

I'm tempted to post this without any commentary or contextualization, but I think it's too critical (to those of us who work with technology) to let the issue speak for itself.

First, take a look at the article. Have you done so? Good. Now, consider the source. It's not one of my left-leaning, Linux-junkie, online-only rags; this is mainstream. This is old media. This is CNN <smirk>. Now consider this excerpt:

Microsoft's oversight with SQL is one reason, among many, why analysts don't expect Vista to appear in the workplace until 2008. And it's become yet another sticking point with corporate IT departments already frustrated by their dependence on Microsoft. In the long run, the lack of SQL support could delay widespread adoption of Vista even further. (emphasis added)

I know that in my consulting business I'm frustrated wtih my dependence on Microsoft, and quite a bit of my frustration can be traced back to the fact that I'm comfortable with (if not an expert in) Linux/Unix alternatives. Notwithstanding the perspective of the article--which is nothing, if not critical of the way Microsoft is mismanaging its business--the mere fact that it was written by and for a mainstream media outlet like CNN.com suggests that there may well be broad dissatisfaction with Microsoft and its business model of ensnaring its customers into an quasi-addictive dependence on its proprietary software solutions.

I've said it numerous times, but it bears repeating. The push toward open standards and inoperability among the various file formats/software vendor products is not only ethically and morally sound, it's a good long-term business strategy. Eventually everyone's going to wake up and demand it, and then Microsoft will be one software provider among many. Wouldn't it be better to have been a pioneer in the movement toward open standards than an obstructionist? What happens if this resentment toward Microsoft spreads beyond those "in the know" (those of us who build, noodle with, and program servers) into the real mainstream: the desktop consumer market?

Surely, for all of Ballmer's posturing and Bobby Knight-like antics, even Microsoft sees the handwriting on the wall; even if they dare not discuss it.

Thanks to Paleck for the heads-up on this issue.