Perhaps when large software companies feel it no longer profitable to continue updating / maintaining a line of software product such as Outlook Express, instead of discontinuing, they should rather release its source to the public under an Open Source License. So then the community could continue this products development and evolution to fit the customers needs without incurring the costs of a non-profitable product line.

The day any Microsoft product gets GPLed or OSLed is the day that Daewoo cars will be the best on the market; in other words, it's possible, but not very probable. It'd be nice if Microsoft did such a thing so we can seen better third-party utils and various versions of OE but M$ tries to make a quick buck off of anything; anyone whom has ever called them for support and paid their outrageous support fee knows what I speak of here. LOL

I think I'll join my friend in the following: ROFL

Did I hear "innovation"? I can't remember the last thing they actually innovated.. Steal something and add crap to it, maybe, but they have never devised anything brilliant on their own from my recollection. Nevertheless, I actually kind of enjoyed Urban Assault.. Woops - there I go straying again!

Men... o_O

That was a smart move on their behalf to decide NOT to totally nix the product. Gee, do you think they could package more useful features right in the box? You know, NOT have to pay additional money for things that SHOULD be part of the OS? Hmmmm... In an ideal world, we'd have that and pets wouldn't tinkle indoors.. EVER! Ooooh.. I like that concept! =oD

I would like to respond to a few of your comments from your previous two posts.

First, you state:

“You know, NOT have to pay additional money for things that SHOULD be part of the OS?”

Why should Microsoft include such other products into their operating system without additional cost? The purpose of an operating system is run other programs that you add on, either though freeware or purchase. There should be no reason why an e-mail/newsreader client “should be part of the OS.”
Beside, most people complain of the Microsoft monopoly on other products (eg., IE). If Microsoft included everything you could possibly want in a computer, I am very sure there would be anti-trust ramifications.

Secondly, you state “but M$ tries to make a quick buck off of anything;”

Isn’t the whole purpose of a corporation to make money? If not, Microsoft would be a non-profit company.

Kristian A. Carter

I would like to respond to a few of yours:

"Why should Microsoft include such other products into their operating system without additional cost? The purpose of an operating system is run other programs that you add on, either though freeware or purchase. There should be no reason why an e-mail/newsreader client “should be part of the OS.”
Beside, most people complain of the Microsoft monopoly on other products (eg., IE)."

I agree, get IE the hell of Windows. Provide it for free as a download or as an after market product. Do not install and integrate it into the OS. The OS should sell on it's own merit: Stability, features, appearance, technological suport, industry support as well as customer service provided after the purchase.

"Isn’t the whole purpose of a corporation to make money? If not, Microsoft would be a non-profit company."

Uhm...yes. The problem comes in when business ethics are tossed out the window ;) and your position with your industry is being used for the manipulation and crippling of other companies competitiveness in your industry. THAT is why M$ was taken to court.

i would also like to add, I would like M$ to provide absolutely no applications with Windows other than support apps (Remote Desktop for example...provided they don't allow s**t like DCOM to occur).

Other than that, Notepad...the single most powerfull application M$ ever released (and it was probably ripped off too ;)

"'Microsoft will continue its innovation around the e-mail experience in Windows,' the spokesperson said."

ROFL...

And while I'm at it:

"Outlook Express customers should feel confident that the e-mail capabilities in Windows will continue to improve."

In terms of virus-spreading ability or what? Outlook Express hasn't changed significantly in years, except for the cosmetic-only-and-bumped-up-version-number update for XP (and IE 6 on other platforms but withouth the pretty icons).

I agree that they are not very committed to OE as a product. They have left known and reported bugs in the product for years...