Isn't the reason why Microsoft's OS is always "almost-there" the fact that they have the US government (and every tech competitor) looking over their shoulder every second, analyzing every new feature to make sure it doesn't sqaush some poor helpless competitor?<p>It's the reason we went 5+ years without any browser innovation, and it's probably the reason why we don't have a <i>good</i> built in Firewall, Anti-Virus or even paint application.  Some of it might be MS protecting their software partners (which is ok in my book) but if I had big brother analyzing every move I made, I wouldn't spend millions building something only to have it excluded because some whiny EU/US politician think it's unfair.<p>I don't think it's fair to criticize MS for half-baked features when you realize that they <i>need</i> software makers to stay happy, and they <i>need</i> big brother to keep their nose out of their tech.<p>MS doesn't release it's own PC (ala Apple) because they can't or don't know how, they don't because it would piss off Dell/HP and the politicians who represent the districts where those companies reside.