Microsofts biggest problem isn't too many restrictions, its too many options.

[badgenome]

Yeah, I largely agree. I think the main driver behind their policies is actually a desire for control, but they are also trying to serve too many masters and thus making too many concessions to be able articulate any real vision of "the future" that they might have. By going about it the way they did, they have created a worst of all worlds situation.