Can we really foresee a Microsoft-free environment?
Notwithstanding the fact it will be many years before very many corporate users might be able to work in a "Microsoft-free" environment, there appears to be significant effort being put forth to make it a reality. From the geekiest tech pubs, like the Java Developer's Journal to august ones such as The Wall Street Journal, circumventing Microsoft is a hot topic.
I choose "circumvention" deliberately, as many of the strategies intend not so much to eliminate Microsoft from the equation but to limit our dependence on Microsoft and limit the payments users make to same.
Some circumvention techniques are endorsed - and even sold - by Microsoft, whereas others are completely outside of its control.
In the former category, we find both "terminal services" and "virtual PC" technologies. Microsoft sells terminal services licenses directly and indirectly via its agreements with Citrix Systems. Virtual PC (and virtual server) technologies are sold in Microsoft boxes.
|