Isn't this what Apple is doing wrong in regards to OS X?

[Slowstick]

Hope this is in the right forum.

Read this article about why an analyst thinks Microsoft is so successful:

Five Startegies Microsoft Got Right

Apple has a better OS, so why is Microsoft selling better even with a bad reputation? This guy has it right on the money!!

 

[IJ Reilly]

Probably should have gone in the industry discussion forum, but... the article is bogus. I could not get beyond "Bill Gates and Microsoft untethered software from hardware, instead creating software that could run on almost any brand of PC." This is a complete misrepresentation of the history. It was IBM that hired Microsoft to produce the OS for the IBM-PC, so fundamentally it was IBM that created this market for "untethered software" -- not that they ever intended to do so. That opportunity came when Compaq and then others figured out how to "clone" the IBM-PC without violating IBM's copyrights. That event is what really created Microsoft's huge market for operating systems. This was by accident, not design -- so it's imaginative at the very least to suggest that this something that Microsoft "got right." They were really lucky.

As for the creation of "win-win" partnerships, that's just a laugh. Microsoft is known as a bully in a business partnership. They are just as likely to screw a partner as help them.

 

[themoonisdown09]

Looks like someone needs to watch Triump of the Nerds.

 

[MacDawg]

the article is bogus

More like propaganda

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[IJ Reilly]

More like propaganda

The article brought to you by...

I don't know. This telling of the Microsoft story has been repeated so often, a lot of people assume that it's true.

 

[Slowstick]

Probably should have gone in the industry discussion forum, but... the article is bogus. I could not get beyond "Bill Gates and Microsoft untethered software from hardware, instead creating software that could run on almost any brand of PC." This is a complete misrepresentation of the history. It was IBM that hired Microsoft to produce the OS for the IBM-PC, so fundamentally it was IBM that created this market for "untethered software" -- not that they ever intended to do so. That opportunity came when Compaq and then others figured out how to "clone" the IBM-PC without violating IBM's copyrights. That event is what really created Microsoft's huge market for operating systems. This was by accident, not design -- so it's imaginative at the very least to suggest that this something that Microsoft "got right." They were really lucky.

As for the creation of "win-win" partnerships, that's just a laugh. Microsoft is known as a bully in a business partnership. They are just as likely to screw a partner as help them.

Wow... you know what your talking about!

However, the reason that Vista sells better than OS X is because it is used on all hardware manufacturers. The author says why under "Software is King." The reason Apple doesn't do this is because they want to sell Macs (as in hardware) and get people to buy a more expensive computer with a better OS, and have done well so far. And Macs is Apple's smallest market. The iPod and iPhone have done way better, and the majority of revenues come from this I believe. Correct me if I am wrong.

And the author was saying Microsoft has win-win partnerships in terms of selling Microsoft software. This benefits Microsoft enormously and IS a win-win situation, wouldn't you agree? Whether it is a win-win situation for the actual partner, I don't know. Probably. They make money on this as well. There is really no such thing as a Microsoft Store where you can buy Windows from Microsoft directly. Microsoft has tried this with Windows Marketplace and it has had little impact. They don't need this type of "store" because hundreds of big box and small mom and pop stores basically sell all of Microsoft's software.

You are right in the IBM-PC part of your posting. However this is not what the author is trying to emphasize. Have you read the entire article?

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Like it or not OSX will always be a niche OS as long is it only works with Apple computers. And like or not one huge reason why MS windows out sells OSX currently is because it is not tied to hardware.

If OSX ever starts making any major inroads (Greater than 20-30%) into Market share it will start opening it self up to unfair and unethical business practice law suits. We have already seen the first one of these hit apple. It will not be the last. Also I do not see apple current bussiness model ever allowing for that. They are quickly reaching a saturation point with their current very LIMITED line up.

But if you have noticed apple has choosen to move into other markets other than computers because they seem to of realized they are reaching that saturation point with their current computer line up. for example, iPod, iPhone , iTV, hell even iTunes.

 

[MacDawg]

However, the reason that Vista sells better than OS X is because it is used on all hardware manufacturers. The author says why under "Software is King." The reason Apple doesn't do this is because they want to sell Macs (as in hardware) and get people to buy a more expensive computer with a better OS, and have done well so far.

The reason Apple does this is so that they can integrate the software with the hardware so it "just works". You don't have the inconsistencies and random driver issues, etc. you do with the Windows world. The software and the hardware solution works seamlessly and you don't have to support all the 3rd parties. It is a closed system and a philosophical choice Apple made.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[Slowstick]

The reason Apple does this is so that they can integrate the software with the hardware so it "just works". You don't have the inconsistencies and random driver issues, etc. you do with the Windows world. The software and the hardware solution works seamlessly and you don't have to support all the 3rd parties. It is a closed system and a philosophical choice Apple made.

Woof, Woof - Dawg

I have to disagree with that. The reason Apple only sells OS X with Macs is they want you to buy a very expensive sexy piece of hardware with a great OS. I did it, and love my Mac. Drivers really has nothing to do with this. Its money.

 

[Eidorian]

The reason Apple does this is so that they can integrate the software with the hardware so it "just works". You don't have the inconsistencies and random driver issues, etc. you do with the Windows world. The software and the hardware solution works seamlessly and you don't have to support all the 3rd parties. It is a closed system and a philosophical choice Apple made.

I wonder what computers you're using.

 

[Gray-Wolf]

Apple only lets there OS work on their computers, as they can then control the hardware quality as well, and as far as I can see, its greatly better than PC's hardware. All you have to do is look around at a lot of the old machines still running, including a few Apple II's

I like it that Apple restricts the OS to apple machines only.

 

[IJ Reilly]

Wow... you know what your talking about!

However, the reason that Vista sells better than OS X is because it is used on all hardware manufacturers. The author says why under "Software is King." The reason Apple doesn't do this is because they want to sell Macs (as in hardware) and get people to buy a more expensive computer with a better OS, and have done well so far. And Macs is Apple's smallest market. The iPod and iPhone have done way better, and the majority of revenues come from this I believe. Correct me if I am wrong.

I believe Apple still derives most of its income from the Mac. I know this surprises people who are fixated on the iPod and the iPhone, but Apple has been growing Mac shipments at 20-30% a year recently.

You have to understand, the Windows OEM business was an accident of history. Microsoft has been the beneficiary, but that doesn't mean they created it.

And the author was saying Microsoft has win-win partnerships in terms of selling Microsoft software. This benefits Microsoft enormously and IS a win-win situation, wouldn't you agree? Whether it is a win-win situation for the actual partner, I don't know. Probably. They make money on this as well. There is really no such thing as a Microsoft Store where you can buy Windows from Microsoft directly. Microsoft has tried this with Windows Marketplace and it has had little impact. They don't need this type of "store" because hundreds of big box and small mom and pop stores basically sell all of Microsoft's software.

You are right in the IBM-PC part of your posting. However this is not what the author is trying to emphasize. Have you read the entire article?

You can't derive a correct conclusion from an erroneous premise, except by accident. That's the main problem with this article -- he doesn't seem to know how Microsoft got to where it is today, yet he still wants to tell us how they "got it right."

I can't recount the entire history of Microsoft's business dealings, but suffice to say that they've screwed a lot of their business partners, and strong-armed their OEM customers.

 

[Slowstick]

I believe Apple still derives most of its income from the Mac. I know this surprises people who are fixated on the iPod and the iPhone, but Apple has been growing Mac shipments at 20-30% a year recently.

You have to understand, the Windows OEM business was an accident of history. Microsoft has been the beneficiary, but that doesn't mean they created it.



You can't derive a correct conclusion from an erroneous premise, except by accident. That's the main problem with this article -- he doesn't seem to know how Microsoft got to where it is today, yet he still wants to tell us how they "got it right."

I can't recount the entire history of Microsoft's business dealings, but suffice to say that they've screwed a lot of their business partners, and strong-armed their OEM customers.

Microsoft has done a great job distributing their software. If they didn't, they wuldn't be the giant they are today.

 

[MacDawg]

I wonder what computers you're using.

Never had a problem with any of my Macs from 1987 on...

Mac SE
Mac SE30
Macintosh II
Powerbook 160
Macintosh Portable
iMac
Macbook
Macbook Pro

The only one I ever had problems with was a PowerComputing clone

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[gnasher729]

Microsoft has done a great job distributing their software. If they didn't, they wuldn't be the giant they are today.

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Microsoft's problem is that nobody actually wants their software anymore.

 

[Slowstick]

The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Microsoft's problem is that nobody actually wants their software anymore.

Obviously that is not true. They sell more software than anyone. Apple has made them look bad. Vista is their best selling OS yet!! Hard to believe, I know.

 

[NT1440]

Obviously that is not true. They sell more software than anyone. Apple has made them look bad. Vista is their best selling OS yet!! Hard to believe, I know.

Vista IS huge, that tends to happen when all of the new computers sold come with it preinstalled........

I dont think there is a huge amount of people running out to the store to pick up vista.

 

[the vj]

MS is beigger because...

They spread their software every where under a cheaper hardware. The companies that build PCs have a problem resolved becaus ethey do not have to build OS and MS does not have to sell it to the public, just by charging those PC manofacturers is all set.

So business wise is perfect. Hardware manofacturer do not care much about the OS because without it they wouldn't being able to sell their hardware. Is just like Betacam and VHS.

Apple creates the OS for their own hardware, in a way they can get the most from their hardware and that gives them a quality advantage MS does not have. But there is a cost involved.

That and many other things.

 

[Eidorian]

Never had a problem with any of my Macs from 1987 on...

Mac SE
Mac SE30
Macintosh II
Powerbook 160
Macintosh Portable
iMac
Macbook
Macbook Pro

The only one I ever had problems with was a PowerComputing clone

Cute

What if I say I've never had any problems with my Windows computers? I'll stand back your head might explode.

 

[MacDawg]

What if I say I've never had any problems with my Windows computers? I'll stand back your head might explode.

I would say you are very fortunate and should consider yourself lucky!

My Mac experience has been excellent
I realize others have not had the same

But overall, I would say the experience of the Mac user is positive

Woof, Woof - Dawg

 

[themoonisdown09]

Vista IS huge, that tends to happen when all of the new computers sold come with it preinstalled........

I dont think there is a huge amount of people running out to the store to pick up vista.

Exactly... couldn't have put it better myself.

 

[Eidorian]

I would say you are very fortunate and should consider yourself lucky!

My Mac experience has been excellent
I realize others have not had the same

But overall, I would say the experience of the Mac user is positive

My point is that even the closed system Apple uses isn't necessarily free inconsistencies and random driver issues.

 

[themoonisdown09]

My point is that even the closed system Apple uses isn't necessarily free inconsistencies and random driver issues.

Who said that it was perfect? It's far from perfect, but it's a lot closer than the average Windows box.

 

[Eidorian]

Who said that it was perfect? It's far from perfect, but it's a lot closer than the average Windows box.

It's something Mac users love to trot out as a perfect closed box.

It's almost to the point where a completely closed appliance is desired.

 

[MacDawg]

My point is that even the closed system Apple uses isn't necessarily free inconsistencies and random driver issues.

No, you are correct... not 100%
But I think in general, it is the philosophical choice made by Apple
And I think it has served them and their users well

Woof, Woof - Dawg