“Microsoft’s biggest underlying fear is that it will become like IBM—a company that still has a strong business but no longer sets computing standards.” The Economist does a nice analysis of Microsoft’s upcoming Windows XP launch and proprietary strategies. With Xbox they are staking a claim into controlling the platform of home entertainment. No slouches in looking forward since the Internet nearly wrestled the web from them (remember when everyone used Netscape?), Microsoft is poised to control it all with .NET. It’s doubtful that Apple’s mysterious Tuesday announcement will take any wind out of Bill’s sales, errr I mean sails.