Laura DiDio Microsoft Quotations

Security is an ongoing battle. Microsoft can never declare victory. But clearly, Microsoft has made great strides hardening the OS.

I think Microsoft is doing what any company in its position or in a similar position would do; when seeing competition, you are going to react to it. But I don't think Microsoft is running scared. They are running smart, and they are right to be concerned.

I think that the training benefits are the most valuable to customers because that's something that has been slashed out of budgets. Any time these folks can get out and mingle and talk to professionals and have it bundled in as a free service, that really does add to the value of a Microsoft license.

Over the years, Microsoft has guarded its source code very carefully. It's been very measured in how it's approached complying with that particular part of the sanctions.

Microsoft has been doing everything it can to ensure that customers are comfortable with its product. People need a reason to move to a new product. They don't need a reason to stay with an old one.

Microsoft has been in the forefront of placing bounties on hackers and in filing lawsuits against software pirates.

Microsoft has shown it will dip into its huge cash reserves to settle the private cases that it can. Regulators have asked for Microsoft to let down its guard on what it considers its most valuable asset -- intellectual property.

Microsoft's compelling financing option is especially relevant to small businesses with smaller purchasing budgets and very limited IT personnel. Businesses today should take advantage of the significant benefits available with the extended financing option. Partners that are not currently engaged with Microsoft Financing should seriously investigate this program for their customers.

Microsoft and Apple have always had a love/hate relationship.

Microsoft and the EC came out swinging and then retired to their respective corners.

Microsoft can afford to make payments to end the private cases. But it has a long history of guarding its source code vigorously, and the change of philosophy required to throw it open -- and to competitors, at that -- is significant.

The percentage of customers who say they are actively looking to replace Microsoft has gone up. When it comes down to it, some people aren't going to be able to do it (migrate off of Windows and Office). But where Microsoft can be replaced, it's become a real fashionable thing to do.

Office 12 will not be so totally different that you can't learn as you go. And there are always the Dummies books and the Microsoft technical support line to turn to.

Some things that Microsoft thinks will be great do have the potential of being annoying,