Extensions

I'm starting to wonder if maybe Microsoft is extending itself a bit too much. I say this because if you click the link up there you'll find an article about SP2 being a mixed bag for people. Some really like it, others hate it. In particular I note that the new XP firewall can be turned off by an arbitrary application (given suitable rights, which most XP PCs will have on the default user); MSVC++.NET 2k3 remote debugging has issues; remote desktop ports are closed off even if remote desktop was turned on before SP2 install; and IE updates are still far too minimal.

What really stands out is that the IE updates people really want are still missing. No tabbed browsing, poor PNG support, and a lack of standards compliance overall. The solution most people turn to is 3rd party browsers such as Firefox. I'm left wondering why Microsoft has left IE in the dust until Longhorn ships? Why make the push for browser integration and then drop it like a bad habit when it had such a large corner on the market? Overextension is about the only thing I can think of. Too many people working on other things and products that aren't even on the market yet. I honestly can't see any other possible situation that could lead to something like this.