I read Paul Graham's now infamous linkbait a few hours after it appeared and added a small comment myself to the debate. Since then, I've had numerous friends and blog readers ping me and goad me in to commenting. Despite trying to avoid blogging this weekend I couldn't resist in the end. Numerous others have already had their say though and they're more articulate than me about it.  

Overall I think it's a well written post and has some very valid points. The main point is nobody fears Microsoft these days. GREAT - that's progress I think. Why should people fear Microsoft? That's what got us a bad name in the first place!

For the other main themes, here's my quick view (if you care)

 

1. Google
Yep, check. They're a big threat and have a terrific business model that they have executed tremendously well. We have our work cut out and even Ozzie admits this. It's going to be tough that's for sure.


2. Ajax.
Not sure I get this bit with Microsoft being big supporters of AJAX. Is the entire computing world going to switch to AJAX, web served applications overnight? In a word - NO. I may be wrong but I'm prepared to put my neck out there on this one. Two things - security and connectivity.


3. Broadband Internet
Same argument as above I think. Broadband pipes are fine when they work 100% of the time and right now they don't in many places in the world and they don't on airplanes or trains that I travel on. Paul, you should come to the sticks sometime and see how narrow broadband can be.


4. Apple
This is the weakest of the arguments I think. Okay so everyone at Gen Y conferences uses Apple Mac's now. I have a Mac myself and it's great hardware and runs Vista and Office very well. If the theory is that everyone is going to switch to Mac over the next few years then I think it's flawed. Once the Mac's reach a tipping point where all the Gen Y types think it's uncool they'll all look for something else. It probably will not be a PC but it will not be a Mac if they become "common". We've seen this happen already with kids who don't like their iPod any more as their parents have one.

 

Link to Techmeme: Microsoft is Dead  —  A few days ago I suddenly realized Microsoft was dead. (Paul Graham)

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