I don?t quite understand MS. On the one hand MS has a problem maintaining the relevance of Windows, and on the other hand, MS continually invests in the browser ? which is the number one challenger to Windows. Why doesn?t MS directly compete against the browser by providing a framework for developers to host Windows desktop applications in Windows Terminal Services - having as great a reach as the Internet? This approach has so many advantages than its current ?shooting itself in the foot? approach of developing and promoting browser solutions ? to the detriment of its Windows business. Doesn?t MS realize that every time it promotes browser based technologies and solutions, it does harm to Windows and MS? overall image and brand? I think MS should have a distinct (non-browser) Internet strategy which directly challenges the browser, and it should do this through the use of Windows desktop applications, Terminal Services, and its open Office document formats. E.g. simply host Office 2010 on Terminal Services, and if need be, disable certain functions to make downloading the Office suite the preferred way of using the suite. Develop, or encourage the development by third parties, of advanced blog desktop applications which are derivatives of Word, which allow users to post Office documents to the blog applications. Afterwards, allow these applications to be hosted on a special version of Terminal Services behind a company?s firewall, or on the Internet. Users would then have the option of accessing the application virtually or locally after it has been downloaded to their machines. MS could distribute a special client application to support its strategy ? or if need be, browser plug-ins.
I think two hypothetical guys should be able to have the following conversation. ?Look, I can access Google apps from any computer I want on the Internet!?
?So what, I can do the same for Office 2010 applications, giving me access to more features and a significantly better user experience! Also there is a new blog that I or anyone can access, where I can post and view entries in advanced, open Word document formats, allowing me to do things I could never imagine possible in regular HTML blogs!?
In my opinion, MS really needs to pursue strategies that sharply distinguish itself from competitors pursuing regular browser based strategies, for the sake of Windows and its overall brand.
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