09 March 2005

I have this long-standing theory and thought I’d share it. The theory goes like this:<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />   First there was DOS. Then there was Windows which ran on DOS. Then DOS was emulated in Windows. Then there was .NET which ran on Windows. Then Windows was emulated in .NET.   Of course that last bit hasn't happened yet, but I expect it is just a matter of time before Microsoft's OS becomes .NET and Win32 becomes an emulated artifact. I also expect that branding-wise Windows will remain the foremost brand. I think this is why the .NET brand is already being deprecated. .NET as a brand must fade so it can be reborn like the phoenix in the future - as Windows.