I often end up defending Microsoft (and, on occasion, RIM) simply because they often get a bad rap from people with an agenda and a lack of perspective.

Microsoft are a hugely successful company with some great products, but you wouldn't realise that from reading sites like HN where the only stories posted are along the lines of "MS are doomed". A surprisingly large proportion of the tech press follow a similar editorial line.

At the same time, you're drowning in a sea of overwhelmingly positive Google, Apple and open source coverage which often should be a bit more considered. As an extreme example, I will never understand the appeal of John Gruber.