Silly article. Microsoft won't disappear overnight. Unless, perhaps, they decide to hire Leo Apotheker after he finishes HP off. ;-)

Now, seriously, browser-based interfaces to cloud-based apps and data will be Microsoft's demise - they'll make the OS irrelevant, commoditizing its cash-cow. Will they be able to reinvent themselves? Probably yes. Will they ever be a dominant player again? Certainly not.

Would I be happier in a world without Internet Explorer, Sharepoint and Exchange? You bet!

I'd be satisfied with a standards-compliant IE10 ... And I avoid companies that use Sharepoint and Exchange.

There's a reason she doesn't link to anyone who says MS is about to 'suddenly go out of business' - because nobody thinks this. Honestly, what a silly strawman.

I think what we'd all like to see a world where there is more competition in the tech market. Unfortunately for MS they became the dominant player in many markets and (like any company in that position) stagnated, procrastinated and behaved in a protectionist manor. Note that this doesn't reflect on anyone within MS, large companies behave in ways individuals can't control.

Now, does MS have to die for there to be a more competitive tech market? No, of course not but if MS does die it doesn't really matter. They are not the sole providers of technology.

Way to completely miss the point, Microsoft is not going to 'disappear'. Anyone who says this probably also thinks that David Copperfield actually made the Statue of Liberty disappear.

Ms Shinder must own a farm to have come up with that much straw.

Yes, if Microsoft were to die tomorrow it would be a problem.

When ReactOS will hit a stable version, it will be the end of Microsoft! Or at least of the Microsoft as we know it!

Have any idea about how long is that going to take?

It' just a matter of efforts involved. I don't see it very promoted in the open-source community, but it should! That's the thing that will set free the masses owned by Proprietary Software. The Linux is fine, but it's used mostly as free enterprise solution, and only in a small part as a thing for everyday use. ReactOS needs a little more attention from the community, that's all.

You are right about promotion I have not heard about it before.