Google and Microsoft, the School Yard Spat Continues
June 4, 2010
This squabble between Google and Microsoft is about money. Search, applications, and specific markets are dependent upon the big focus. Both firms are publicly traded and both firms have enough money to pay the bills. The problem is future money, which both outfits covet. Money defines the 2010 business landscape. Even the oil spill is a money problem. Forget the pelicans, right? Florida is worried about tourism. Louisiana is worried about the seafood jobs. Savannah, maybe worried that a lawn party will be permeated with the odor of petroleum factors?
Google threw mud on Microsoft’s white bucks when it made clear that personal computers running Microsoft software were not welcome at Google. The reason was that Microsoft products were not secure. Okay. Tough to disagree with that because Patch Tuesday is now a standard indigestion day for people like me. You can get the background on the blackballing of Mr. Ballmer’s crown jewels in “Google Bans Use Of Microsoft Windows Company-Wide.” Whether Google has taken this step may or may not be true. Doesn’t matter.
Microsoft responded by pushing Google and sticking out its tongue. PC World’s “Microsoft: No Matter What Google Says, Windows Is Secure.” So there. Here’s the passage I found interesting in the PC World story:
“When it comes to security, even hackers admit we’re [Microsoft] doing a better job making our products more secure than anyone else,” said Microsoft spokesman Brandon LeBlanc in a post Tuesday afternoon to the company’s Windows blog . “And it’s not just the hackers; third party influentials and industry leaders like Cisco tell us regularly that our [security] focus and investment continues to surpass others.” LeBlanc added. LeBlanc also ticked off half a dozen examples of Microsoft’s efforts to make Windows more secure, ranging from “we ship our software and security updates to our customers as soon as possible” to ” Windows 7 uses Address Space Layout Randomization [ASLR] as well by randomizing data in memory.”
Where does search fit into this school yard spat? Well, it is not a factor. In fact, neither company seems prepared to go for the kill shot. Google can ride the security pony really hard, and so far, Google is making Math Club jibes at recess. Microsoft also seems reluctant to choke Google in a rear naked choke. Google, which Microsoft may have forgotten, seems to have some issues with its StreetView Wi-Fi activities.
Both companies are making my life more interesting because of their executives’ public debate. Both companies are monopolies and both companies pretty much one trick ponies when it comes to making money. Both companies are not able to respond to outfits like Facebook and Apple as well as other monopolists decorating the US business landscape. Both outfits are vulnerable.
So, school yard spat. Fun to watch. I am not taking sides. If a fight breaks out, maybe there will be even more excitement.
Stephen E Arnold, June 4, 2010
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