So Real Networks has jumped on the "we can't compete in the market, gee, let’s resort to litigation" bandwagon, and filed an antitrust suit against Microsoft (lots of details and links at news.com). As per the filing, Microsoft used "monopoly power to restrict how PC makers install competing media players while forcing every Windows user to take Microsoft's media player, whether they want it or not." And that is why people are not using Real? With all due respect Mr. Rob Glaser, I am one of those users who did download the Real Player, and even paid for a copy at one point. But that was a long time ago, I stopped when the player started becoming intrusive, popping up windows and ads, embedding itself in my taskbar despite my having removed it a short while earlier, nagging me to buy add-ons and newer versions, continuing to send me e-mail despite my having checked the "don't e-mail me" box, and worse. And that is nothing to do with Media Player being included with Windows, I installed QuickTime, and have installed Windows Media Player updates, so apparently there are indeed users who don't mind downloading, installing, and even paying for software, despite what comes pre-installed with the operating system. The reason I don't use Real now is because it is big and bloated and intrusive, and that Mr. Glaser is your problem, not Bill Gates' problem.
Real is one of the few companies I outright despise. #2 on my list next to Gator/Claria. And they used to auto-install Gator without telling you even if you told them not to install anything but the player... Now my gripe is that they still annoy you with their stupid message center. Not to mention that they've always made it hard to find the free player on their web site. It took me longer to find it than to install and promptly uninstall the software.
Erm, do you know anyone who ever paid for a copy of NS?
Netscape failed because they dropped the ball...they went for years without updates while MS innovated with IE. I was a NS user almost from the start but from version 3.x onwards, IE was simply the better browser. Even now Mozilla offers me nothing special that would make me want to switch from IE with the MyIE plugin.
I have to disagree. Netscape took their eye off the ball. Do you remember how long it was between Netscape 3.x and Netscape 4? And when 4 finally shipped it was terrible! Netscape got sidetracked with a collaboration server and several other bad ideas, and ignored the browser (and HTTP server) for so long that Microsoft did not even need to make much of an effort to leapfrog them.
Don't get me wrong, I have lots to criticize Microsoft on, but I will not blame them for the demise of Netscape (or Novell, or Word Perfect, or Borland, or even Lotus). I have to draw a line between taking advantage of your competitors screw-ups and unfairly taking advantage, Microsoft has mastered the former, and that, like it or not, is called business.
Well... yes and no. The problem here is that there should be a concrete business model involving a core product or service, and Microsoft has trouble keeping their hands out of everyone else's pie. The key word - competitors. MS has a nasty habit of suddenly becoming your competition, even if it wasn't in their arsenal before. They make an OS (for PCs, handhelds, and now phones), various software, game consoles, lots of hardware (mice, keyboards, game wheels, routers, ad nauseum), and tons of other things... what's left for anyone else? It's tough to compete against a company whose target market is 'everybody'. Especially with such a horrible product :)
Last but not least, anyone who has ever used both Windows Media Player and Real's player will agree that Real lost this battle years ago.
Microsoft produces product after product after product, plus... (dramatic pause) their online support IS second to none.
as for real... let's not forget their spyware saga.
BBC - please add windows media to your feeds.
Having experienced every pain in the neck Ben describes at the hands of RA, I feel no pitty for them.