Columns

So here, in 2008, we should be grateful to have something approaching a two-party system. Right now, Microsoft and Google are the great powers, and if I wanted to stretch the analogy to the limit we could declare Microsoft as the old Soviet Union's Communist party and Google the proletariat-friendly United Russia.

The fact Microsoft has embraced openness is a sign that its power is slipping away and, that if it's going to continue to exist, it must declare itself as a legitimate member of our new IT democracy. From this point, anything could happen. Microsoft could go the way of once dominant parties (remember the British Whigs?) and gently fade from sight. Or it could surge back into power; perhaps Ray Ozzie will be talking about New Microsoft in 2009.

Either way, I for one would choose the "And thank you" issue. And if that doesn't get me an interview, heaven knows what will.