I think the above is pretty nice. However, I believe MS should take advantage of the current trend towards lightweight apps (distributed through app stores), by pushing for the development of these lightweight apps (as well as complex applications) first. MS could then continue to support browser based apps, pushing the industry to use them to support the above set of applications. E.g. a newspaper could focus most of its energies around downloadable apps that require subscription access, which also enjoy higher advertising revenue. The newspaper's web site could contain access to a subset of current articles, as well as full, dated articles, having a lowered user experience (e.g. having less pictures, no video or audio clips.) The newspaper's web site would serve largely as a driver of users to the newspaper's downloadable apps, and to lend global reference support to the articles it produces, so that e.g. bloggers and others can reference the articles - driving users to the newspaper's web site, and also downloadable apps..
In the enterprise, I believe MS should do all it can to promote lightweight, downloadable apps, as well as complex applications first, and give these programs extra reach through the use of virtualization whenever needed. Therefore e.g. if someone wants to give access to database data throughout the enterprise, MS should encourage the person to use lightweight apps first, and extend ubiquitous access through virtualization if necessary. I believe even generic reader apps should be used in lieu of Intranet web sites, and be given ubiquitous access if necessary using virtualization.
Lightweight apps are reversing the migration of development towards the browser, by devaluing the reach advantage of the latter - through the establishment of a user experience differential. Smartphones are also undermining the browser's reach advantage, by allowing users to take their apps anywhere. This bodes well for MS proprietary platforms, because it shows how MS can re-establish the value of its platforms, and make them highly relevant again - even more than before.
The above also shows that MS doesn't have to have a strong presence on the web to remain relevant and to make lots of money. MS can wield user experience against the web, and attract developers, content producers, and enterprise computing like never before. I believe MS should wean itself away from its focus on the web as much as possible. While MS may still have a significant presence on the web, I believe it should be overwhelmingly trying to drive its customers towards apps and complex applications on its proprietary platforms, where it can increasingly expand the user experience differential, strengthening further its position..
The above is important, because it means a large range of programs that go hand in hand with back end services, can be developed as lightweight apps, having superior user experiences, pulling users, developers, and content producers towards MS platforms. This means that if the primary driver towards computing devices is apps, rather than the browser, MS can re-establish the value of its platforms, and form an effective barrier against other proprietary platforms, as well as the browser.
The best of ZDNet, delivered
ZDNet Newsletters
Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox
