OOo is having an effect especially. MS cut it's price for MSO by 90% when
working a deal out with Uppsala University:
http://computersweden.idg.se/ArticlePages/200412/03/20041203080359_CS620/20041203080
I suspect that UU would have prefered to give MS the heave altogether,
but MS could not let such a key institution off the leash.
It also seems like MS is planning to 1) lose customers and 2) try to make
up the difference on the remaining ones:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/07/28/microsoft_skus/
The key quote is "Microsoft wants to increase Office revenues fourfold by
the end of the decade", given that the profit margin for MS Office is
already around 70% - 80%, that's a rather outrageous goal. Based on past
behavior, I'd expect the strategy to occur via file format lock-in.
However, uptake of the newest versions of MSO just aren't happening in big
enough numbers to make that happen in the same way as for earlier
versions so it'll have to try a new tactic. It will probably involve
legal maneuvering, perhaps, having failt to get the CIID pushed through,
MS will take on member states one on one quietly, behind the scenes and
set the stage for enforcing all the XML and other junk patents.
-Lars
Lars Nooden ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
Software patents harm all Net-based business, write your MEP:
http://wwwdb.europarl.eu.int/ep6/owa/p_meps2.repartition?ilg=EN
On Sat, 30 Jul 2005, John McCreesh wrote:
I'm not an expert on the education market - although Ian is - but there
is certainly very strong evidence that OOo is forcing down MS prices in
the emerging markets. Two examples:
[snip]
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