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I read an interesting article today on Microsoft.  It asked the simple question of if Microsoft was a better company as a monopoly vs broken up.  I will let you read for yourself

I felt compelled to write a piece responding to that, if for no other reason to point out the things not said.  The article was written as if Microsoft has fallen from grace and is not the powerhouse it once was.  It points to the internet and says that the internet is more relevant than applications.  He also highlights that open source applications can fill the gap that Microsoft Office once filled.  He noted the resurgent of Apple -- but didn't really highlight how.

Microsoft today is arguably more of a powerhouse than they were 10 years ago.  Windows is still the number one operating system, with a vast Server division -- So vast that they've sold more than Unix.  Active Directory is now the defacto standard for enterprise organizations, and Microsoft Exchange is the defacto standard for enterprise email.  Sure, solutions like Zimbra have made headway against Microsoft, but Microsoft has pioneered so many new technologies at an enterprise level it will be difficult to slow their steam.  Other tools like Sharepoint and OCS are staple items in the enterprise world.  Maybe Microsoft is a Johnny-come-lately to the Mobile OS game, but that doesn't mean that they won't end up beating everybody.  Look at the XBox 360 -- Microsoft knew nothing about console systems and turned Sony on their head.

One can't really compare Microsoft to Google.  Google isn't a tech company, Google is an advertising company.  They make more money from us clicking on links than anything else.  If something were to happen to their advertising empire they would falter -- Microsoft has tangible products they can sell.  Does this mean that I'm anti-Google?  No, in fact, I love Google.  I love Google Voice, GMail, Google Search, I love it all!

I also love Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and Microsoft Server.  It is possible for two companies to co-exist and both thrive?  Yes.  Microsoft is still a powerhouse, and more so than they were 10 years ago.  Perhaps its deceiving because of the surge of popularity Apple has commanded, or Google with their new whiz bang phone, or this fan-dangled thing called the internet...but rest assured its as big as ever.

Besides, if it weren't for the success and power of Microsoft, Apple would never have lived long enough to run ad's slamming their largest investor.