What would you do if Microsoft went bankrupt, and Windows became an orphan product?

[The Mad Hatter]

This question covers Windows only. I know Microsoft makes a wide variety of other software products (Office, Exchange, etc.), I'm not interested in them, only in the Desktop Operating Systems.

First - unlike the most of you, I've read Microsoft's financial reports, and understand accounting. I know how much money Microsoft has on hand, and how unlikely this scenario is. I'm asking the question to find out what people currently think are their best options, if Windows is no longer available.

Second - this is not a troll. I know there are a lot of Windows fans here. I'm not trying to insult you. I'm asking what you would do in a theoretical situation.

Third - I'm going to be posting the same question in several places. The plan is to write an article based on the feedback I get. I am assuming that a response to this post means that I can quote you in full.

So what would you do if you could no longer buy new copies of Windows?

[William Hemsworth]

I'd stay with Windows 7 until it becomes out-of-date enough to need a different OS such as Linux (which would probably greatly increase in popularity).

[lrh9]

Dual boot with XP and whatever version of Unix/Linux has my fancy.

[Sodabread]

I haven't bought a new copy of Windows since 2003, so I'd probably keep using that one. I'd probably dual boot with new Ubuntu releases or something of the sort, though.

[Narue]

>First - unlike the most of you, I've read Microsoft's financial reports, and understand accounting.
I find that statement somewhat insulting. "Unlike most of you, I know what I'm talking about...". Presumably you think "most" of us are oblivious pimple-faced kids in our parent's basement living off of ramen noodles and soda pop. At least, that's what your tone suggests.

>I know how much money Microsoft has on hand, and how unlikely this scenario is.
It doesn't exactly take a huge stretch of the imagination to realize how unlikely this scenario is. Just how stupid do you think we are?

>I'm not trying to insult you.
If you weren't trying then you're a natural!

>I'm asking what you would do in a theoretical situation.
Windows is pervasive enough that I doubt it would just go away if Microsoft went bankrupt. Someone would get a hold of it and keep it going ("someone" being Apple or Sun, most likely). I would keep doing what I'm doing now: constantly evaluate my needs versus the available tools and use them accordingly.

>Third - I'm going to be posting the same question in several places.
I can see it now. You use two or three of us as sound bites, out of context so as to make anything we say support your conclusion, and then claim "most of" the industry feels the same way.

>I am assuming that a response to this post means that I can quote you in full.
I recommend you also assume that permission to publish those quotes is required because all content posted by Daniweb members is copyrighted by DaniWeb LLC as per the acceptable use policy. You really need to do more research before digging yourself into a legal hole, Mr. I Read Financial Reports And Understand Accounting. :icon_rolleyes:

[samarudge]

I think my views are summarized in my sig-block =P

[jbennet]

i would become a developer for the ReactOS project and run linux until said project was complete.

[MosaicFuneral]

Getting rid of all their leisure crap, unnecessary incentives, lease some space, auction off more crap, halt a few projects, few more layoffs and reorgs, let the interns do even more grunt work than they already do, and that would probably keep them living. Otherwise they'd just eventually get a bailout or be bought-out.
(Did I just describe ever Dilbert comic strip?)

If somehow they did magically disappear, I'd go with a Unix-based system and probably start playing even more with analog computers.