Rather, it's defined by random, often chaotic dynamics that result in totally unexpected developments. Still, Microsoft is making a calculated effort to influence constituencies whose decisions may ultimately carry more weight than whatever conclusion is reached by the hanging judge. No matter how this trial turns out, the company needs to reassure customers and developers that Microsoft is hardly the Evil Empire, let alone a collection of threatening hit men. You can depend upon lead flakster Mark Murray to stand in front of the microphone on the courthouse steps and maintain a stiff upper lip, regardless of what went on inside the courtroom that day. But as it courts opinion, Microsoft doesn't need to work so hard.
Gambit paying off So far, the gambit appears to be paying off.
Microsoft just racked up another record quarter, and the public has registered scant interest in the outcome of the trial. Perhaps Microsoft's ultimate guilt or innocence won't make a whit of difference to its customers or its developers. For a lot of people, the only matters of import will be the price, quality and availability of its products. Like it or not, that's the way things go in a consumer culture. The Finn who invented Linux seems quite amused, even surprised by the importance accorded him.