"The company's calculations put its operating profit (before taxes and some other expenses) at $62 billion, or 18 percent of that industry total (on that same basis) in 2000. In 2005, the calculations put Microsoft's operating profit at $84 billion, or 23 percent of the industry total."

So what? The real issue for MSFT is that earnings today are almost the same as in 00 despite 50% higher revenue and 50% greater headcount. Ballmer's continuing attempts to try and justify MSFT generally and the job he's done specifically are getting stupider and stupider. Analysts don't care how MSFT's profits compare to the rest of the industry or how their growth compares on an absolute scale. They only care about MSFT's specific % growth in revenue and earnings and whether that justifies MSFT's current monster valuation far less any future appreciation. Unfortunately, both %'s suck despite repeated assurances by Ballmer that a turn is "just around the corner" and hence the reason the stock has underperformed the S&P for three years now and on this - their analysts day - continues that track record.
This company is on a path for a major train wreck.

They should put a developer in charge of the company. Someone that knows not only how to code but also knows how to listen to the customers.

And that would be like Linus Torvalds, or Eric Raymond

naw, they should get someone that people will listen to.

How about someone named Bill?

What's your point?

The future of software development is open-source. What Microsoft really needs in a leader is someone that can make it work as a business model.