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Many tech-savvy users are abandoning Microsoft in favour of more reliable and secure operating systems from the open source community. But the company's dominance is also being challenged by the emergence of new devices with specific performance requirements, Michael Herman reports.

With vaults full of money, the enormous value of its brand and long lists of intellectual property under lock and key through patents, Microsoft is arguably the most successful marketing organisation of modern times.

But the question remains: does its skill at making software match its undeniable talent for making money?

From Auckland to Anchorage, from Gore to Bangalore, and from Invercargill to the Inuits of the far, far north, Microsoft's operating systems and programmes provide the basic computer experience for most users, be they at home, in the office or among the growing legion of road warriors.

A somewhat cynical term for people who perform most of their work functions away from the office, road warriors use mobile technologies such as handheld PCs, notebook computers and smart phones to do everything from processing client orders to participating in video conferences with colleagues around the world over the internet.

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Source: Stuff