let me be the first to say it then...

nokia brought us the WSOD... but now, thanks to M$, you'll also be able to get the BSOD!!

Now, on the one hand anything that forces Adobe to compete on the linux desktop and improve their web-embedded player is a good thing. However, I wouldn't count MS as an ally just 'cos they appear to be doing something nice for once - MS are ruthlessly driven by commercial interests, and if this means that they kill of Adobe's lead in that arena and replace it with their own product, so be it. However, don't rely on MS for long term support afterwards.

For example, MS Office on Mac created a monoculture, but when MS talked about pulling the plug on it, there was nothing to fill the void.

Are we better off that OS2008 no longer has the opera browser? Well, technically, it's arguable, but I'm 100% sure we're better off with the OSS alternative.