Top ten reasons why Microsoft is a good citizen
ZDNet | at | by Mike
10. Microsoft drives computing costs down
With all the rhetoric surrounding Linux and its "free" status, it is often forgotten why consumers (Linux users included) pay so little for computer hardware these days. Not only have Microsoft's desktop efforts led to led to greater hardware economics of scale, the company has actively worked to drive down hardware prices through standard PC specifications, including simple things like the WinModem. Though WinModems drive Linux aficionados to distraction, the reason WinModems exist is that they cost less, saving consumers money on new PCs.
Microsoft has been instrumental in bringing computing to ordinary people
Although that might be a "negative" for those who don't want to be bothered by hordes of "newbies," non-technical computer users wouldn't be on the Internet if it weren't for handholding from companies such as AOL and, of course, Microsoft. Through its marketing and products, Microsoft has done more than any other company to help users find ways to integrate computing into their daily lives.