To use or not to use, that is question...

Before we talk about Microsoft, I am wondering how many guys are using Microsoft in my A3 class now… Around 70%, maybe ??

Well, I am writing with Microsoft Office on my laptop which is running by Microsoft Vista, whether I like this or not. Surprisingly, I’ve been using Microsoft for 11 years in a row without any change. (for sure, unconsciously) And I don’t think I will try to have a look at different things such as Apple Mac. Assuming many of other Microsoft users as well - then, why? (First of all, I want to be clear about that I am not a supporter of Microsoft)

As a normal/lazy user, I would like to stick with things that I know how to use rather than experience new challenges. Besides my personal taste, I am pretty sure that more people (like my parents or my friends who are not a big fan of techy stuff) will hesitate to change their current way without great benefits – it’s natural behavior of people to keep what they have.

Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Servers, Xbox360, Windows Live, Windows Phone, MSN, Bing…

Also, when I think of the position of Microsoft in the market, it’s obvious that its business has a vested right as a first mover (a dominant position) in that market. You may hear of above products of Microsoft. It creates synergy effect of usage by combining their products as a package – Windows/Office/Live/MSN, etc. so it actually attracts users continue purchasing its products. When I was working in General Motors, our company used Microsoft Windows/Offices and started to change our software program for tele conference call to Windows Live/Phone as a way of cost saving. Only thinking of GM in Korea, we are more than 15,000 employees. If I simply calculate the number of users solely from major global companies which use Microsoft, Microsoft has a huge enough market for a while.

Yes, there are fierce competitions with Google, Apple..This is definitely a treat for Microsoft and will challenge it. However, let’s think of this. We have to admit that Windows boosted to supply computer to our home with easier interface (Remember - Microsoft's original mission was "a computer on every desk and in every home, running Microsoft software”??). We should consider that there are about 60,000 engineers to develop software in Microsoft around the world. Moreover, R&D of Microsoft is 9 Bil USD in 2009, which is 15 % of their total revenue (58.4 Bil USD) - this is huge!!

In a nutshell, where Microsoft is now.. ? Its business to be continued…

Ciao,
E