Not a good day for Microsoft

During the Microsoft antitrust trial, Corporate PR spokesman Mark Murray used to start each press gathering with the words, "This has been another great day for Microsoft."

But even an eternal optimist like Murray might have a tough time putting a shine on the Microsoft news of the day on April 10.

Microsoft issued yet another critical security update for Windows Vista its most secure version of Windows ever, as part of the company's Patch Tuesday set of updates.

Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs -- the Wall Street firm that helped take Microsoft public -- issued a note removing Microsoft from its "super-duper buy list," claiming Microsoft is at a crossroads.

Like my ZDNet blogging colleague Larry Dignan, I feel the Goldman note is a tad overblown, both in others' interpretation of it, as well as its (what I consider premature) predictions about how quickly Microsoft will deplete the revenue coffers of its Windows and Office cash cows.

Microsoft will announce its Q2 fiscal 2007 earnings on April 26. Wall Streeters are wondering whether there might be another hidden spending surprise in Microsoft's guidance for the rest of this year and next. Anyone care to make any guesses on whether Microsoft will make or miss estimates?