Satchel Paige to Steve Ballmer

According to TechFlash, shareholders questioned Balmer about Microsoft's slipping reputation among college students and Apple's apparent gains among the same segment of consumers. "I'm just wondering why your marketing group can't do something to try to rein in this next generation, because you've got a real bad image out there," one shareholder reportedly said.

Balmer responded that "opportunities for improvement" did exist and acknowledged that there "is a group of people with whom our market share is less." He ultimately played down Apple's growing market share, reportedly adding, "it is important to remember that 96 times out of 100 worldwide, people choose a PC with Windows, that's a good thing."

But like most of Ballmer's statements they should have been checked for accuracy. Two things should be noted. Between Apple and Linux - the current market share is about 6% but when you look at satisfaction Windows in all its various lives is not loved by many. Mac and to a lesser extent Linux draw fierce partisans. And they are both growing. Several major makers of PCs have decided that they should offer options in operating systems for their models. Does that mean MSFT products are no longer useful? Of course not. But does it mean that the dominant market share is secure? Were I Ballmer I would be worried. Their attempts to catch up in a number of areas (You might call the Zune the MSFT music player the Area 51 of Music Players) has had limited success. The other trend which should concern them is whether operating systems are becoming commoditized. Is the value of the franchise - even at 93% as valuable as it once was with more and more net based applications - probably not. I use Microsoft products every day. But I use less of Powerpoint and less of Word and none of the operating system than I did a decade ago. That may be what the shareholders are really worried about - but then as he is called on the net "monkey boy" does not seem to get that transition. He spends a lot of time looking over his shoulder and as Satchel Paige said ""Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."