Almost right from its founding, Microsoft has drawn criticism, resentment, and suspicion. Indeed, it is seen by many to be a ruthless organization driven by relentless greed, crushing anything in its path and absorbing anything useful into its evil empire. While some of the negative press may be justified, let’s not forget Microsoft’s bright side and the blessings it has brought to humanity. Yes, it is popular to praise Open Source and vilify the big corporations, but here is a brief list of the Good Things about Microsoft:
Microsoft helped shape the Information Age
Yes, IBM and Gary Kildall’s work played a big factor, but it was really Microsoft that helped bring computing to the everyday user. In the 70s, computers were big, clunky machines that only geeks could understand and operate; it was Bill Gates who envisioned the idea of a computer in every home and on every office desk. For better or worse, it was Gates who truly emphasized that software had genuine value and that it should be copyrighted and licensed for use. The proliferation of DOS helped ordinary users around the world unite under a single, easy-to-use operating system, paving the way for massive adoption of PCs in business and home. Certainly Microsoft’s motives were not purely altruistic (they earned millions of dollars, after all), but it cannot be denied that it was their tenacity that helped create the digital age as we know it today.
Microsoft Supports Their Products
Some may laugh, but how many companies out there continue to provide free updates to their products many years after the release date? It is no mean feat to continually tweak and optimize software and many man hours are required from programmers to regularly support a relatively inexpensive product for years and years. The idea of paid technical support was practically invented by Microsoft and spawned the entirely new field of customer care. Some may argue that software should be flawless upon release, but in practical terms, one should be grateful for a company that provides timely fixes for its wares. Microsoft set the bar on providing regular and long-standing support for software applications.
Microsoft Makes Computing Easy
Microsoft really hit the mark when they created the concept of ‘Wizards’ to guide users through their programs. The company saw that most people did not have the patience of computer programmers and that they needed to be led by the hand to accomplish simple tasks. Extensive and rigorous beta-testing helped mould the interface of each program so that it could be grasped by the majority of people. Some may say it is ‘dumbing down’ software, but, certainly, there is no harm in making programs that are immediately useable for an ordinary person and that can actually fulfill a meaningful task? And the domination of the Windows platform helped developers focus their energies on creating excellent applications for the fields of media production, health, office productivity, etc (which is why there are far more programs for Windows than there are for other operating systems.) Microsoft truly was the first company that provided the much-needed buffer between computer intricacy and the mind of the average person, facilitating and streamlining the office computer training process.
Microsoft Is Philanthropic
Sure, a lot of it is your typical corporate PR, but that still does not diminish the quality donations made to learning institutions and non-profit organizations. And it is doubtful if the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation would be as effective (or if it would have been created at all) if Bill Gates had not made a huge success of Microsoft. Success begets success—it would be even fair to say that the meteoric growth of the internet and the subsequent rise of Google owe some part to Microsoft. Or, to take one perilous step further, one could even say that humanity, in general, has benefited from the contributions of Microsoft.
And, no, this is not a commissioned piece or advertisement for Microsoft (the author actually is a big supporter of Linux and Ubuntu) but it is simply a fair analysis of the computer world and an acknowledgement of one of its greatest players.
So, as we blithely watch YouTube videos, Digg articles, or catch up with friends on Facebook, let’s not forget to grudgingly tip our hats to the much-maligned, yet ever-present good ‘ol Microsoft!
