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Friday, November 19, 2010 Windows at 25: Still on top…for now When the first Windows operating system was introduced by Microsoft, Ronald Reagan was in the White House, John Hughes was introducing touching teen stereotypes in "The Breakfast Club," and a young singer named Madonna was hitting the road with "The Virgin Tour." Twenty five years later, Windows, Reagan, Hughes, and Madonna are still very much at the center of our tech, political, and pop culture discussions. Since we are a technology site, however, let's take a moment to focus on the sheer breadth of Bill Gates' achievement with Windows and to ask: how long can this go on? Now in its seventh major version, Windows can be found on about 9 out of every 10 of the world PCs, its server version is on 70 percent of the world's servers, and, of course, Gates is the richest person in America, and, until recently, the world. Microsoft is the world's largest software company thanks largely to the Windows franchise and has extended its products to everything from gaming consoles and mobile phones to corporate financial software and databases. But there are cracks in the Windows business, some self-made, some the result of too much success. Competitors like Apple that once seemed like a blip on the radar are now seeing huge growth in computer sales--computers that are not shipping with Windows. In fact, numbers from IDC released last month had Apple growing at eight times the rate of PC competitors during the third quarter. There are also been signs that devices like the iPad, with their new form factor, are making a shift in people's decision about whether to buy something more traditional, like a laptop. Not to mention the looming threat that is Google's Chrome OS, something that Gates compared to Linux in an interview with CNET last year, but that could still cut a dent out of Windows PC sales when it arrives as soon as next month. -CNET For the full story: news.cnet.com More Newswire stories Could LNG become dominant fuel source for ships? Port of Long Beach moves ahead with zero-emission Vision Nuclear-powered shipping to make comeback? Four tips before implementing new transportation management software	Click to browse past stories on these topics: Logistics Ports & Infrastructure Economic Outlook Environmental Impact Technology
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Windows at 25: Still on top…for now