A fact of life is that there are always winners and losers. The same is true online and in computing and so far this week has been filled with them. Let’s review a few of them.
Winner: Google
Not only does Google continue to be the undisputed King of Search and favorable outcome lawsuits, but the company’s Google Earth team was recently recognized by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency.
The US Air Force’s use of Google Earth-provided satellite imagery used during Hurricane Katrina rescue missions, earned the team the “Hurricane Katrina Recognition Award.”
“When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast almost a year ago, people across the country and around the world wondered how to help. Many donated money; others lent their homes to dislocated survivors. A group of Googlers lent their expertise by leveraging the power of Google technology,” said John Hanke, Director, Google Earth and Maps.
Loser: Microsoft
In addition to a round of applause for a developer brave enough to suggest that Windows Vista wouldn’t be ready for at least another month, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had some ‘splaining to do for investors not only about what’s causing the delay, but also about why Microsoft hadn’t killed Google yet.
Ballmer is quoted in CRN indicating that the software team was forced to juggle too many things at once as part of a “strategic and brilliant,” but ultimately impossible plan.
And then Forrester Research analyst Mike Gilpin asks “How are they going to nail Google?”
Anybody else hear crickets?
Winner: Firefox
Whittling away at Microsoft’s Internet Explorer market share, Mozilla’s Firefox browser is closing the gap, capturing 15 percent of the US browsing population as the company celebrates 200 million downloads. Subsequently, that makes Microsoft a loser again.
Loser: Senator Ted Stevens
For trying to pull a fast one in Congress by inviting the anti-Net Neutrality troops to play after everybody else has gone home for recess. Boo, Mr. Stevens. Boo.
Loser: AT&T’s Ed Whitacre
For oversimplifying Net Neutrality and then bolting out of the room when reporters had questions about it.
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