[theprodigy101]

I recently watched the Bill Gates special on CNBC and it was certain that he was confident in the company's future prospects.

However, with Steve Ballmer as CEO, the delay on Microsoft Vista, and Apple becoming a monster recently, where do you Microsoft is headed in 20 years?

[mebreezy]

I think MS has to start doing what Virgin did, branch out all over.

[YPAL]

The whole idea with Virgin is to branch out and use the Virgin brand in different arenas. I don't think MS has the brand appeal that Virgin so will struggle to branch out of tis ore market.

[The Stealthy One]

As long as Microsoft can fully grasp the Internet and Web-based applications, they will do fine.

Hey, did anyone hear about the new rumor - Microsoft is reportedly looking at eBay as am acquisition target. To me, it would make sense; most "business gurus" are calling it nuts, but they'er too narrowminded. Think about it - eBay has eBay, PayPal, Skype, and a host of other smaller services. One key thing to note is that none of Microsoft's current businesses overlap, meaning that alot of new users could be brought into the fold, giving the new AdCenter a humongous boost. Bill Gates, if you're reading this, do it!

[NeeJam]

rumour has it they are planning no buying out ebay.

http://www.newsfactor.com/news/Micr...id=1320048WONHO

[CP Mr Ofevaw]

I don't have alot of faith in Microsoft. Niall Kennedy linked to an excellent case study by a business grad about a companies inability to make fast shifts. For example, Kodak CLEARLY missed the digital camera market (well, they didn't miss it... They just did too little too late). The comparison to Microsoft and their move to web applications and advertising is quite eery.

I cannot confidently say that Microsoft will continue to dominate over the next 10 years, let alone 20.

[YPAL]

Originally Posted by CP Mr Ofevaw

I don't have alot of faith in Microsoft. Niall Kennedy linked to an excellent case study by a business grad about a companies inability to make fast shifts. For example, Kodak CLEARLY missed the digital camera market (well, they didn't miss it... They just did too little too late). The comparison to Microsoft and their move to web applications and advertising is quite eery.

I cannot confidently say that Microsoft will continue to dominate over the next 10 years, let alone 20.

Very good point complacency is a very bad thing for companies in such dominant positions.

What do people think about the possible effects of competition inquries?

[theprodigy101]

I wouldn't really say Microsoft's position today is one of complacency. It's actually one of taking more risk and expanding to new markets.

I see them kind of leveling off in the Windows/Internet Explorer arena and focusing more towards the videogame and Internet-Television collaboration age where users will be able to chat it up with there buddies while watching the same programs from the comfort of their own homes.

The risk is apparent in two ways:

#1- They are selling Xbox 360s at a loss and are relying on the videogame titles and videogame-related subscriptions to bring in the revenue.

#2- Nobody is really sure how the Internet-Television collaboration is going to play out. It's anyone guess as to how much of a hit it is really going to be. So, I think Microsoft is moving away from their traditional sources of revenue and really taking on risk by banking on these two new moves, which may or may not be a good thing in the end.

[Revolex]

As long as Bill Gates is around and helping his company, Microsoft will do just fine. The day he retires or dies will change things a lot. That's what I think anyway.

[CP Mr Ofevaw]

Operating system will always be their number one, unless someone can outdo them in a big way... At that point, Microsoft would have to fall back on the other revenue sources they are generating. I really think web apps will put up a fight against Microsoft...

When I say "web apps", I'm not talking stuff like Writely... I'm talking about desktop + server + integration.

[YPAL]

Originally Posted by theprodigy101

#1- They are selling Xbox 360s at a loss and are relying on the videogame titles and videogame-related subscriptions to bring in the revenue.

Every game manufacturer in the world does this, MS may be selling at slightly more of a loss then say what Sony will be but it is an accepted industry norm.

They will still be doing great, the richest company in the world cant disappear in 20 years. They have great development capabilites and have shown and proved they can keep up with rapidly developing technology. We can see this from their new Operating System Windows Vista.

However I do see opensource software and operating systems getting more mainstream as people