Re:Porsche boss faces software woes keeping VW a step behind...
by kareemsabri on Saturday September 03, 2022 @10:07PM
(#32709015)
I think it's a very Valley-centric opinion to think Microsoft doesn't have any consumer customers. Even putting aside all their other end user products consumers buy (XBox, the utterly dominant Office).
I certainly don't agree with your definition of a customer. People who buy a PC with a Windows OS on it know it's a Windows OS, and make that choice willingly. It's like pretending nobody is an Android customer because they buy their phones from Samsung not Google.
Re:Porsche boss faces software woes keeping VW a step behind...
by sgjohnson on Sunday September 04, 2022 @11:57AM
(#32714361)
With Google it’s even simpler. You’re generally not their customer because you are their product.
Re:Porsche boss faces software woes keeping VW a step behind...
by worik on Saturday September 03, 2022 @10:24PM
(#32709138)
That makes no sense.
If you use Microsoft products you are their customer.
Splitting hairs is a bit silly
Re:Porsche boss faces software woes keeping VW a step behind...
by lordnacho on Sunday September 04, 2022 @03:11AM
(#32710642)
Perhaps GP means to highlight the distinction between the person deciding whether the money gets spent and the operation who uses the product. That can man a lot, eg if a boss just buys whatever he thinks it's good without asking the team what they want to use.
If you didn't pay for your copy of Windows (which you most likely didn't, far more likely it was provided to you in another way, such as OEM or your employer), you are not Microsoft's customer.
Likewise, if you got the free license from upgrading, you're also not their customer.
Pirated Windows? Not their customer.
Bought one of those $20 license keys? Still not their customer.
Actually bought a Windows key directly from them? Okay, you're their customer. You're in the minority.