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They're walking down those steps, though, not up. The next step is 1, not 3.

I genuinely hope you are right

Why?

Because Microsoft's monopolies are hurting competition and the evolution of our practices. We certainly don't need them pushing a new search engine through MSN Messenger or Windows updates.

No, that's Google that has a search monopoly at the moment, and seriously needs a challenger.

Perhaps, but is Microsoft, a convicted monopoly abuser, the right challenger? Microsoft has already a powerful grip on the whole industry (why do you think multi-processors and 64-bit computing took that long to catch?) for us to feel too comfortable with them gaining more power.

Google has a monopoly on search, but Microsoft has a couple at least as valuable as Google's.

Competition between giants is a good thing. And a sense of urgency in the marketplace is good for third party companies, as it places pressure to buy rather than build.

So is Google...it's search results are getting worse and worse over time. Google is essentially pulling a Windows ME, integrated IE and all.

Bing is the competition Google needs to light a fire under its ass and start making its algorithm good again.

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