But more to my point, they [MSFT] still put out software that is reliable, inexpensive, easy to use, works on a range of systems, integrates both within a system and with external services, etc, etc.
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LOL!
Praising MSFT for internal and external systems integration is like praising your head for 'integrating well' with your body: of course their stuff integrates well, they made it. And what they didn't make must play nicely with the MSFT API because of their near total monopoly.
Windows XP Pro SP2 is just fine if you babysit it to ward off viruses, trojans and the like. Vista is all right if you factor out the AACS DRM trojan horse elements that'll be an issue in years to come. Windows Server 2003 is fine. SQL Server is okay. C# is fine.
Yes. On and on.
But let's not get carried away and give the Devil more than his due.
Meh.
.d.