# Joel Spolsky on Microsoft and why Longhorn / WinFX could fail.

<datetime class="hidden">2004-07-09T00:00</datetime>
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Basically, [Joel](http://www.joelonsoftware.com/) covers a whole bunch of ground in [this article](http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/APIWar.html), including issues like why it's not in Microsoft's best interest to support DHTML and advance Internet Explorer (which actually explains a WHOLE LOT!), and the basic problem around Windows - including why he thinks Avalon / Longhorn is a mistake...you really have to [read it](http://www.joelonsoftware.com/articles/APIWar.html), as usual it's a measured approach and very thought provoking!
My opinion (as if you care :-)), it's tricky territory for Microsoft, as Joel points out, the Web is probably never going to be a big earner for Microsoft; desktop apps like Office etc require separate licenses (and these are now REALLY enforced) web applications typically don't. 
One thing I do think is interesting is the development of rich WebUIs using tools like Flash (take a look at [this](http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2004/locals/flash_map/html/local_intro.stm) for a brilliant example of what I mean) - [click-once](http://msdn.microsoft.com/msdnmag/issues/04/05/ClickOnce/default.aspx) in Whidbey also seeks to exploit this model by allowing users to retain rich UIs whilst also ensuring (enforcing?) realtime updates from the web; I also think that pay-for-use software may just make a comeback...