With Microsoft's monopoly over gaming operating systems, you hardly have a choice if you want to play pc games.

I strongly oppose them monopolizing the gaming market and I hope Sony makes a comeback.

Sony and Nintendo both have strategies and stick to them. Microsoft simply buys companies out and then copies other companies, and I've been saying that before I read this thread.

Now I own a 360. I got it for a good price when circuit city went out of business. But I'd hope Microsoft would stop trying to monopolize everything and actually come up with a coherent strategy and approach rather than just imitation.

I used to hate MS a lot more than I do now, mostly since there are more options. Im an XP fan and Im anticipating Windows 7 not to suck. =) The XB360 is a sweet console too =)

I mostly agree with this.  Their operating systems leave alot to be desired.  I don't like their anti-competitive practices either.  They have been in trouble many times and it's hard to dispute it.  With MS, I always get the feeling they are pushing FUD alot more than with other companies (Haloween Documents for evidence).  Also, I was pissed off more than Sony's arrogant comments combined that MS willingly put faulty consoles in the hands of consumers to achieve what they needed to do (read Dean Takahashi for reference).

However, knowing someone who works for them, they are very good to their employees unlike, say, Wal-Mart.  Also, they are a much more charitable organization than others.

I love the natural keyboard and Flight Simulator (unfortunately appears to be axed).

As far as gaming consoles go, I'm not sure what I will do with my 360 after I finish SO4.  ToV is now going to the PS3 and from the looks of it, it's an instant swap of versions with all the new stuff being added.  Cry-On was cancelled, which was something I was greatly looking forward to.  Halo and Gears...  read my sig.  Now with Wii coming with games that may warrant a purchase soon, and Sony having some awesome 1st/2nd party titles, and PC having most of the Western "HD" thrid party stuff as well, I'm not sure where the Xbox 360 fits in.

i'm a fan

umm hello every comapny does this!! Anyways i dont hate M$ and i dont love them either. Theyre a business and theyre out to make money just like every business

Windows Vista is great now that they patched in 1000x times. Windows 7 however is looking to be a must buy. It uses less resources and runs VERY smoothly on low specs, Windows 7 if MS doesn't screw up the release will probably be their best OS ever.

The Zune is on level with the IPod, I like the FM ability and the sound quality is better.

XBox was inferior to the PS2, but this round they are beating the PS3 in terms of game variety. They just need to work on their hardware.

Bill Gates donates a lot of money and his time to charity. He is a good man and a Icon in this industry.

Microsoft like every other company has screwed up before, but overall they are a great company and have learned from their mistakes. RROD is the only thing I have not been able to forgive them for (yet).

Go MS!

Also for those that dislike MS/hate Windows, I challenge you to go out and buy a Mac and run on Linux. You can't fight the power by simply crying about it. Do something about it.

I personally don't like MS, not because it makes me look cool on the interwebz, or because it's the trend, or the nature of being against the big one; and certainly i don't dislike them by default...

I met Bill Gates in a conference (thanks to my ex-job), and he's a great guy, and i personally respect what he has done for the computer industry... But my reason for not liking MS is mainly the products...

-Windows is an OK OS, but i really don't need the crashes and the security issues... And when they pull something good like Windows XP SP2-SP3, they had to go backwards with Vista, a really unreliable and inefficient system, especially inefficient... I hope Windows 7 is better because i use Ubuntu for a lot of things, but my games and some work stuff i have to do them in Windows...

-IE, nuff said...

-Xbox brand: Xbox had more power than PS2 and Gamecube, that's for sure, and the unified online service is great, but it was inefficient in some levels, nevertheless i don't have a problem with it... Xbox360 on the other hand, RROD, disc-scratching, E74, jet-sounds (although, as i said, the unified online service is great, except for the price)...

I can mention other products but i think i made my point... Now they're some good products like the keyboards (although i like the Logitech ones better), and i even recommend some of them, so even when i dislike a company, i don't let the good things pass...

I like Microsoft. I use Windows (never had problems with it), bought Xbox and Xbox 360, and 2 Zune players.