So let's say we get a MS Windows company and a MS Applications company.
What does that do to the MS Windows users and the Linux users. Here's
what, I think:
MS will retain complete dominance in the OS. MSWindows will not be
weakened. Linux will not be helped, nor will other OS developers be
helped. The change in circumstances will be for apps, not the OS.
MS will no longer be able to produce the best Apps. There will be a
feeding frenzy among software developers of applications. There will be
more and better apps for MS Windows, but no improvement for non-MSW
operating systems. In fact, non-MSW users may be offered *less*
applications, not more and better ones, if the environment for writing
MSW apps improves.
All of this will produce a better deal for users, but not a stronger
base for other OS's.
What could change this view? Well, if revealing MSW software secrets
might lead to better abilities among OS developers to develop new OS's,
then perhaps users might be offered improved OS's. However, the
performance of MSW over the years suggests that knowing its "secrets"
probably would not lead to OS developers creating better OS's. Linux and
Unix would be very unlikely to benefit from knowing about MSW, and these
OS's, if improved, will have to go in different directions than any MSW
revelations might suggest.
Probably all wrong, but that's the way I see it.
bob jones ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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