Let's see some more cola hypocrisy 1835

Once something like OLE is necessary, the notion of an office suite is completely unecessary. Microsoft office is a paradox in this regard.

What microsoft consolidates is marketshare. It does this by abusing it's role as infastructure provider. It is simultaneously prime supplier and prime compebreastor to many of it's customers.

This is an obvious conflict of interest of course.

It seems that your attempting to justify Microsoft's actions with the lame ethical copout: "but everyone does it".

Consolidation is not at all a beneficial outcome in the long term.

No. Prices actually went up.

Instead of everyone using the "light" applications they actually need, they are now forced to use the heavier professional applications because of network effects.

You must have started computing yesterday.

Without high-minded individual in academia, you would still be living a lifestyle somewhat reminiscent of Little House on the Prairie. Those that seek to solve problems have an interest in having those problems solved, they simply don't need the monetary encouragement. The problem being solved is sufficient enough. If anything, intellectual property SLOWS THINGS down once the first solution is created as everyone else is effectively locked out for the next 17 years.

The likes of visicalc needed no help from Microsoft to be seen.

deletia

You mean no one like Apple or Digital Research?

They didn't "evolve" anything. If not for companies like Quarterdeck and Stac, the DOS platform would have been mired in it's own mediocrity.

-- The best OS in the world is ultimately useless if it is controlled by a Tramiel, Jobs or Gates.