BERKELEY, Calif. — Before asking for a new Windows PC this holiday season, remember the old adage: "Be careful about what you wish for."
In the best of all worlds, we would all benefit from the so-called "network effects" that result from most people using the same software: Everyone could easily communicate with each other and teach each other how to use the software efficiently.
Unfortunately, since Microsoft uses network effects to maximize its profits rather than to benefit users, the world it delivers is far from the best.