Hi all,
There's a comprehensive survey of the software industry in the current
issue of _The Economist_. It's available online at
<http://www.economist.com/surveys/software/index.html>. They predict that
Microsoft 2000 will be a lot like IBM 1985: a major player, but no longer
dominant. The reason for this will be the Internet, but unlike most
analyses I've read, this one looks well thought-out.
 
The same publication has also put another of its surveys on-line: _The
Death of Distance_, which analyzes the telecommunications industry. It
makes a good case for assuming that within five years, long-distance
charges will be replaced by a system of access charges and flat fees,
independent of distance. In other words, if you're in the information
business, it won't matter where in the world you set up shop.
<http://www.economist.com/surveys/distance/index.html>
 
-- Bruce
 
 
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