The environment is like this: Microsoft has threatened to delay Vista's release in Europe because the EU commission on competition has expressed concerns and, says Microsoft, failed to give specific guidance whether new security features in Vista prevent competition from third-party security vendors.
McAfee's CEO, George Samenuk, is now on a multi-day press tour behind the message you would have seen in yesterday's Financial Times (2 Oct 2006) in a full-page advertisement (page 9 of the main section). It begins, "Dear computer users around the world." Here's an exerpt, one of eleven paragraphs...
With its upcoming Vista operating system, Microsoft is embracing the flawed logic that computers will be more secure if it stops cooperating with the independent security firms. For the first time, Microsoft shut off security providers' access to the core of its operating system -- what is known as the "kernel." At the same time, Microsoft has firmly embedded in Vista its own Windows Security Center -- a product that cannot be disabled even when the user purchases an alternative security solution. This approach results in confusion for customers and prevents genuine freedom of choice.
An article in BusinessWeek is also worth a look...
Chris Paden, a spokesman for Symantec, was more blunt: "The M.O. of Microsoft is to prevent innovation from being able to happen, dumb down the environment, and then create solutions of their own."
Sarah Kacy & Jay Greene | BusinessWeek (3 Oct 2006)
Despite the DoJ case in the US -- the hard record of anti-competitive business practices -- and ongoing legal conflicts in the EU (fines still clocking daily due to intransigence about revealing Windows server documentation), it is significant that Microsoft elects in its Vista security strategy the audacious & in-your face move of shutting out its erstwhile partners. They could have done this, what, a little more graciously while still keeping advantage? One wonders if they have only one speed: maximum aggression?
On the side of McAfee & Symantec, it is easy to loose sympathy quickly. They've done well playing Microsoft's Achilles Heel, riding a large insecure Windows installed base, playing the good paracyte and even adding value. How long did these companies imagine Microsoft would permit them to stay on?
There is no partnering with Microsoft. Yet eager, naive young companies continue to renew the line to suckle the hag's teet.
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