Summary: New figures from Microsoft (not based on Web statistics that are also biased) confirm a decline in business around Windows

WITH legal action in Italy and Vista 7 refunds in more and more nations [1, 2, 3], it is clear that Windows won't be the only option available from OEMs some time in the near future. Android and Ubuntu became easier to find out there, so no wonder sales of Windows are down sharply (and "Microsoft shares down on lower fiscal Q2 profit"), as briefly mentioned last night in TechBytes.

Meanwhile, the GNU/Linux preinstalls rate seems to have surged in China (unless more boxes are just shipped without any operating system):

Consumers can buy whatever they want in China. They have retail choice. Further, to get mention in the 10-Q, the effect must be large and it is a trend. The share of PCs shipping with that other OS is dropping in China. That is the result of OEMs and retailers not being locked into M$’s game. They can ship more PCs with a higher margin using other operating systems like GNU/Linux. That this merits mentioning in spite of the low prices M$ charges in China means the share has dramatically reduced.

In the face of trouble, as usual, Microsoft resorts to vapourware about Vista 8. It's too little, too late. Even Microsoft boosters are now taking stock of the mass departure of Microsoft executives:

Microsoft sheds executives like a snake sheds its skin.

As a former Microsoft executive recruiter says, the standard cycle for outside hires is two or three years before rotating out for a better job.

But Microsoft has also lost a lot of veterans who got sick of the pressure, found better opportunities, or were quietly "managed out" for poor performance.

Some of Microsoft's executives ended up as patent trolls and entryism subjects. It is important to keep an eye on those. ⬆