Compelling, but if customers are not using the product, Microsoft would do the same thing. Why not throw products on the wall in "beta" form and see what happens? It creates a creative work environment (I think) that would be compelling to be in. Create something that you "think" might work and get feedback. If it doesn't work. Lets go back to the drawing board and lets see how we can make it better. What is wrong with that approach?

The reason Google is abandoning them.  If you are using a Google product that no one else is using, they are probably doing you a favor.  Let's assume the author's Google Plus example.  If you are putting a ton of energy and resources into Google Plus and Google pulls the plug on Google Plus - they are telling you your time has been wasted because Google Plus is not your best forum.

Google also has an entrepreneurial spirit which leads to trying somewhat off-the wall things.  I applaud this about the company and suggest Microsoft adopt something like it and try and get away from the huge bureaucracy it has become.  

I like Microsoft, but these posts are petty and lame.  Worry about your own company and let it's success speak for it's superior business methodology, not name calling.

Fantastic post!  It's the same thing with Apple... business customers are second class.  Liek MS or not, they build for the business.

Live Mesh

Spaces

need I say more?

Typical MS - trash and criticize other companies' products...while failing in their own.

What's the marketshare of Windows Phone 7...?

MS, try putting your energies into innovating your own solutions instead of critizing others...

Different organization and product development styles.  Each have advantages and disadvantages.  

Authoring a critique of this nature shows how much MS has to fear with Google's advances in the enterprise.  Apps with G+ is an amazingly powerful system.  Given the enhancements of late to the core Google products, I am happy to have the graveyard of non-critical items.

In regards to browser upgrades, what about security issues?

Love it:) cooking spaghetti .... LOL

" I were an institution or business relying on Google Apps, it would be completely unreasonable to force version upgrades, and unacceptable to expect that users will always have the latest browser versions."

I'm confused, you mean some people use browsers that don't automatically update to the latest, most stable and secure version automatically upon open?

This is completely backwards. It should be unacceptable that a user would NOT be easily and automatically updated to the latest browser version with no disruption to their work. The fact that so many people are still running IE6 is not something Microsoft should be proud of.

Its better to be with spaghetti which sticks then trying to stick a spaghetti which does not stick (Read: Bing).

PlaysForSure except on our Zune Players.

And Microsoft doesn't abandon products!? They just spent 10 years making IE7 the greatest browser ever. Wait... what?

"Old Browser Support"

You guys should learn this one! ;-) hahaha.

Microsoft doing well...

brooksreview.net/.../ballmer

I was just thinking about this very topic while I was listening to my playforsure tracks on my Zune.