Still don't dislike Microsoft?

If you've been reading my blog, you'll know that I don't trust Microsoft to do right by its customers. I think it's a behemoth of a company that achieved its monopolistic success at the expense of the people who used its products. Worse, I think it is being guided by a mentality that believes that it can continue to release products that further its own agenda of user lock-in and proprietary, closed standards.

The industry, and informed consumers, believe otherwise. The open source software movement, as well as Apple, have siezed on this hubris to release products that in many cases do a much better job of serving software consumers' needs than Microsoft's software- often for much cheaper, and sometimes even for free.

One would like to think that Microsoft would be capable of realizing these trends and begin using its massive power for the good of its customers and the industry. That would be good for Microsoft, too, in the long run.

But all signs point to the fact that they still don't get it.

There are many examples of why I think Microsoft is neglecting its customers, and today comes news that they are delaying the release of three important products. The "why" behind these delays can be discussed and debated, but the bottom line is that a company with the power and resources of Microsoft should be able to release well-written, secure software in a fairly timely, predictable manner. The fact that they don't- can't- is just another reason I dislike Microsoft.