Some personal observations and predictions about MS

Some personal observations and predictions about MS
I have mentioned some of Microsoft's unethical, purely for profit business stragies. I have also pointed out of Microsoft's lack of being an innovator in the industry. I intend to show that this combination is one that will prove deadly, not only to Microsoft but to any technology based companies, should it continue.
First, in the 16+ years of Microsofts existance it has failed almost entirely to be an innovator of technology, regardless of a number of attempts. There a number of areas where the common public, and also some computer industry magazines, seem to believe that Microsoft pioneered technology.

DOS - Come on, read the History of DOS and you'll see they bought it from someone else
Mice - Nope, several companies have had them for man years before MS, MS only improved it slightly by using better parts.
GUI - Both Mac and Amiga had far superior Graphical User Interfaces for public use long before MS. Several companies had much better ones for man years before MS's Windows release.
Keyboards - The MS natural Keyboard? I'm surprised they didn't make it a Dvorak keyboard and try to claim that as their own too.
Windows NT - This is about as close as MS has ever gotten to truly innovating something. Rather than just buying the technology they bought the designers of the technology and asked them to design a "new" OS.
I believe that by refuting the best known claims MS has to pioneering any new technology it is pretty easy to see that MS has never been a distinct leader in technology.
However, they have remained in business. This obviously means that instead of making their money with new technology they are making their money selling existing technology. Where did this technology come from? Well, it came from all the companies against which MS is competing, SUN, SGI, Xerox(the GUI), Mac (incredible video/graphics/sound), Netscape (now), DEC (well, the VMS designers went to MS to make NT).
Notice now, that should MS succeed in it's current goal of dominating the world computer market it will not only destroy it's competitors, but also the true innovators. MS will have no one who's technology they can rebundle and sell for large amounts of money. Microsoft, and the whole computer market will stagnate. No new technology will be developed. No new sales will be made on old technology (everyone already has it). No money will be spent buying upgrades, as no upgrades will exist. In short Microsoft will have no income. Microsoft will be forced out of business due to their own greediness now.
Of course, this is all extrapolation of current trends and data. And as some of you may know, I'm not a believer in extrapolation of data as it often fails when one isn't near the point that one is attempting to extrapolate too. So, I have to say this: All these assumptions are made based on the premise that MS will continue in their current trends.
And on one final note regarding MS's future. Bill Gates isn't immortal (really he's not). How many times have we seen a company built by one persons sweat and hard work (not like he sweated or worked) only to be torn down by his successor's lack thereof.

** Heller