We’ve been having a ball telling stories of new technologies, entrepreneurs and the exploits of some of the world’s biggest tech companies. And, of course, we love it when our posts spark debate and conversation.

We’re starting a regular feature today to highlight some of our favorite comments from the past week. Let us know if you have a favorite, too. And, of course, feel free to comment on the comments.


Our Groupon analysis — looking at how big the daily deal site would have to become in order to match Microsoft’s success in the public markets — sparked an interesting debate. One reader suggested that it was simply crazy to compare the daily deal site with the software giant.

“Microsoft makes stuff. Groupon is a glorified concierge. A consumer middleman that encourages overspending. While their business may well be good for the economy, I seriously doubt their valuation will scale to the degree you’re [semi-facetiously] suggesting.”

Full Story: “Can Groupon become a $3.75 trillion company in 25 years?”


Microsoft's Jason Weber

By far the most popular story on the site this past week, was our interview with Internet Explorer 9 program manager Jason Weber, a post which set off a debate over which company has the best browser.

It was hard to pick a favorite among the more than 70 comments, and many readers slammed Microsoft over security and performance issues. Power user Keith Badeau offered a measured response:

“I use Chrome, Firefox, and IE9 as not one browser works properly on every single site. Chrome and Firefox display sites differently from one another and I noticed that even though IE9 doesn’t support many of the CSS3 features, it doesn’t break a site that uses them. It is fast. It has a lot of issues but so do Chrome and Firefox. It seems like everybody has to jump on the bandwagon and dog Microsoft. If you don’t like IE don’t use it–it is as simple as that.”

Full story: “Inside IE9: How Microsoft rewrote its browser from scratch”


As a follow up to the debate on the release of IE9, we chatted with Firefox engineering director Johnathan Nightingale about the organization’s plans to support Windows XP, something Microsoft doesn’t plan to do with its latest browser.

One GeekWire reader didn’t understand why Mozilla supporters were upset:

“Furthermore, I don’t see why Microsoft should be criticized for a decision to cede market share to its competitors. I mean, if an XP user wants a modern web browser, since they cannot have IE9 they’ll probably download Firefox 4 instead, right? So why are the Mozilla people complaining exactly?

Full story: “Why Firefox 4 isn’t abandoning Windows XP”


Some readers took exception to a recent study that named Microsoft one of the world’s most ethical companies.

Looks like those bad feelings still linger from Microsoft’s reputation as a money-generating monopolist. One reader noted:

“Best laugh I’ve had all week. Though you should check your calendars. (It) isn’t April 1st yet.”

Full story: “Microsoft debuts on list of world’s most ethical companies”


In one recent post we asked why Seattle VCs are spending more of their dollars on companies outside the region.

That sparked some thought-provoking comments on the state of the Seattle startup community. Here’s an excerpt from one:

“I agree that the Seattle ecosystem should be a lot stronger. I don’t know if it’s weak because of the overwhelming dominance of the bureaucratic behemoths of Microsoft and Amazon, a blend of arrogance, ignorance, and conservatism in the investment community, a lack of experienced, successful entrepreneurs who mentor and support new companies without shoving them into emasculating incubators where the investors have all the leverage….

We need to spawn a new generation of entrepreneurs in Seattle. We need more smart, driven people to take the plunge, and we need more technology leaders to support the folks that are in the trenches, doing the work.”

Full story: “When will Seattle VCs start investing again in Seattle companies?”


John Cook is co-founder of GeekWire, a tech news site in Seattle. Follow on Twitter: @geekwirenews.

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