Microsoft is the world’s largest software company (based on revenues) and about 80% of its revenue comes from sales of its Windows, Office and Server & Tools software.  However, cloud computing, or “Software as a Service” (SaaS) as it is sometimes called, is a direct and serious challenge.  In response, Microsoft’s newest version of Office, now in early testing, will offer online versions of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint that can be used on a computer, Web browser, or mobile phone.

MSFT was the Online Stock Study at the Better Investing website for September that was led by Jim Thomas who recently joined the Stock Central Board.  Jim is also a Director at the Puget Sound Chapter of BI and a software engineer who used to work for Microsoft. I recently compared the Consensus SSG with two of mine and with Take Stock.  If you’re interested, check out:

Monitoring Microsoft (MSFT)

http://arminfields.wordpress.com/2009/09/19/monitoring-microsoft-msft-2/

Armin Fields

My husband says, "What a bunch of boneheads Microsoft seems to be!"  With great gusto they announce Windows 7 today--but fail to realize how much they have failed their customers by making Windows XP users save all their data and settings, format their disks, load Windows 7, and then RE-INSTALL every single program they use--assuming they have all the CDs or can download those they downloaded.  If the original CDs aren't the latest versions, you have to download all the updates.

On top of this, there is no guarantee that the drivers that work great on XP will work on Windows 7. 

Why those bright people in Redmond can't figure out an easier upgrade path is beyond me.  Remember, Windows XP is run on 2/3 of the PCs on the planet. 

Don't buy MSFT until the outrage plays out and they get their boneheads fixed.