Google to acquire evil from Microsoft?
I’ve seen this article referenced a few places today, but there is a piece at the New York Times, essentially the piece says that Microsoft can relax, it’s time for Google to be the villain. There’s a joke that went around sometime back (maybe at April fools?), joking about Microsoft about to buy exclusive rights to evil from the devil. That supposed article interviewed the devil and had him recounting what a good offer Microsoft had made for the rights…. anyway…
The biggest thing in recent months that has made me concerned about Google was the recent mention that they were not talking to CNet for a year over a CNet reporter using Google to source information on the CEO at Google. That’s petty and unfortunately shades an attitude that I don’t like.
Personally, I’m a fan of competition. One reason I use linux is that it is a conscious choice of operating systems. Many don’t think there is a choice, but there is and I support it so that there will continue to be a choice. Beyond that there is a good deal of competition within linux, the various distributions trying to outdo each other is rather fun to watch.
I am slightly concerned about what Google’s move into lots of new markets means for their future. I use Google Search frequently, more than any other search engine. I’ve got a gmail account to play with, I like the slick interface and use of Google Maps, I find their portal to be VERY useful. I don’t want them to be the only game around.
In some fronts I see them moving into competition with Microsoft. (Rumored Office Suite, Browser for instance.) I think that would be great, I’d like to see a situation where there is choice coupled with open standards so that the customers don’t lose in the battle between the giants. I’d also like to see open standards so that anyone could enter the playing field to compete.
In Google’s recent software release we have an Instant Messenger that uses an OPEN standard. It can communicate with MANY other messengers and they are commited to keeping it that way. It looks as though they will work towards that with SIP as well for voice. I hope so.
Over at The Security Fix, the main hope is that Microsoft’s black Tuesday (for patches) won’t need to be followed by Google’s black Wednesday for patches with all the software products they’re approaching.