Comments on: Google vs. Microsoft: my ransom note http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html This Blog Sits At the Intersection of Anthropology and Economics Thu, 17 May 2012 21:10:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Helen Hilton http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html/comment-page-1#comment-3398 Helen Hilton Sun, 01 Jul 2007 14:46:45 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=547#comment-3398 I think microsoft should do something to stand against google in Advertising. Recently google won the bid of 3.1 billion dollar on DoubleClick. I think microsoft should do something to stand against google in Advertising. Recently google won the bid of 3.1 billion dollar on DoubleClick.

]]> By: David Hallerman http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html/comment-page-1#comment-3397 David Hallerman Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:31:03 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=547#comment-3397 The whole Google apps vs. Microsoft apps fails to address a key element: working online vs. working locally, on one's own computer. I live in a comfortable New York suburb, with fiber optic lines, and I still get knocked offline periodically. In addition, even with my extra-fast (extra-cost) cable connection and current model Mac computer, my Internet connections are nowhere near as fast as my hard drive. (Also true for previous homes and previous Internet access in NYC itself.) Furthermore, I often work with large files -- Word, Excel, and Powerpoint -- and the idea of navigating them through an Internet connection sounds like a PITA. So while I might move to other software for this key apps, other than MS Office, the idea of putting my worklife on the potential fragility of an Internet connection is a no-go for me...and I imagine many others. David, who also finds that Word's ability to let you customize it to your way of working and your choices of keystrokes and your menu choices is just the kind of flexibility more software should offer The whole Google apps vs. Microsoft apps fails to address a key element: working online vs. working locally, on one’s own computer.

I live in a comfortable New York suburb, with fiber optic lines, and I still get knocked offline periodically. In addition, even with my extra-fast (extra-cost) cable connection and current model Mac computer, my Internet connections are nowhere near as fast as my hard drive. (Also true for previous homes and previous Internet access in NYC itself.)

Furthermore, I often work with large files — Word, Excel, and Powerpoint — and the idea of navigating them through an Internet connection sounds like a PITA.

So while I might move to other software for this key apps, other than MS Office, the idea of putting my worklife on the potential fragility of an Internet connection is a no-go for me…and I imagine many others.

David, who also finds that Word’s ability to let you customize it to your way of working and your choices of keystrokes and your menu choices is just the kind of flexibility more software should offer

]]> By: Andrew Harder http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html/comment-page-1#comment-3396 Andrew Harder Fri, 26 Jan 2007 05:53:35 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=547#comment-3396 Bravo Grant, bravo. Bravo Grant, bravo.

]]> By: Adam Richardson http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html/comment-page-1#comment-3395 Adam Richardson Thu, 25 Jan 2007 01:24:53 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=547#comment-3395 Cnet doesn't think too highly of Vista either: The bottom line: Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you're currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use. http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Vista_Ultimate/4505-3672_7-32013603.html?categoryId=1042&tag=bubbl_1#more Xbox shows that Microsoft can make a strong and comprehensible brand. I've been in user interviews where they've referred to Xbox as a company (as in "Xbox took care of the problem by shipping me a new machine"), so strong is its presence. This wasn't entirely luck. It's probably no accident that Xbox is also Microsoft's most focused product. I think a lot of their brand conflict comes from not wanting to make strong editorial choices, and instead they feel that an almost infinite range of choices is better, which leads to a confused brand personality. Cnet doesn’t think too highly of Vista either:

The bottom line: Windows Vista is essentially warmed-over Windows XP. If you’re currently happy with Windows XP SP2, we see no compelling reason to upgrade. On the other hand, if you need a new computer right now, Windows Vista is stable enough for everyday use.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Windows_Vista_Ultimate/4505-3672_7-32013603.html?categoryId=1042&tag=bubbl_1#more

Xbox shows that Microsoft can make a strong and comprehensible brand. I’ve been in user interviews where they’ve referred to Xbox as a company (as in “Xbox took care of the problem by shipping me a new machine”), so strong is its presence. This wasn’t entirely luck.

It’s probably no accident that Xbox is also Microsoft’s most focused product. I think a lot of their brand conflict comes from not wanting to make strong editorial choices, and instead they feel that an almost infinite range of choices is better, which leads to a confused brand personality.

]]> By: allen claxton http://cultureby.com/2007/01/google_vs_micro.html/comment-page-1#comment-3394 allen claxton Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:02:06 +0000 http://localhost/wp_culture/?p=547#comment-3394 I think OpenOffice has a credible Powerpoint alternative/copycat. It's not hugely slick, but it seems solid to me (though I don't use it intensely). I don't know if you can get just the presentation software, without the rest of the office suite, though. And, obviously, it's not Google. I think OpenOffice has a credible Powerpoint alternative/copycat. It’s not hugely slick, but it seems solid to me (though I don’t use it intensely). I don’t know if you can get just the presentation software, without the rest of the office suite, though. And, obviously, it’s not Google.

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