balupton wrote:
Andre Da Costa said:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/presskits/2007office/default.mspx

Does anybody see any similarities between Netscape 8 and Office 2007?


Sorry but if you mean this as 'microsoft stole netscapes layout', i need to reply as 'you got to be kidding'.

I don't see it as stealing even if they did take the idea from netscape, I see it as bringing a effecient technology into a product that needs it.

It reminds me of Mac Users saying wow vista stole our search icon.
I mean come on, how many different ways can you make a magnifing glass look.
And hey if it looks good might as well use it.

Another example is Mac Users saying yep Vista also stole our idea for integrated indexed searching.
Every OS needs this, its a step to build the next generation OS.
It's like saying whoah someone stole my idea for a monitor! - How else can you bring a effecient and cost effective graphical display to the user.

You see where i'm heading...
Ha ha. Everyone always wants to peg someone in a hole to prove that they're right. I think you've internalized an emotion that copycatting good technology is a bad thing. Just because smart people arrive at the same conclusion doesn't make the answer wrong. I think it's silly to say, "I was there first." First mover advantage only accomplishes initial market share. Microsoft's strength has been to recognise good technology when sometimes others don't and sell it better than anyone else can. I think need to stop concentrate on what Mac users are saying and notice a trend. It's not that Microsoft isn't designing good technology. It's that some of its ambitious plans are not arriving on time (WinFS). It's own success of having penetrated 90% of the market has lead to its own downfall of being a lumbering giant when it comes to implementing new technology. You need to see past the literal and comprehend the bigger picture.