Pogue points out that despite Microsoft's many attempts at launching their own technology products, (wireless watches being one of the many flops) Microsoft's true success stories have come from the products they have copied from other companies.

Most old-time Internet users remember the days when Netscape ruled the roost, as well as the launch of Microsoft's clearly inferior Internet Explorer and the strong-armed tactics they used to take over the browser market. The Internet Explorer incident wasn't a new thing, Microsoft had previously accomplished the same thing in mimicking the user friend GUI of the Apple OS system with the launch of MS Windows. Microsoft's MSN Internet Service followed the pattern of success laid down by AOL while the Pocket PC simply built on a firm foundation established by Palm.

Internet users that have searched with MSN's "updated" search interface will notice the subtle shifts toward an interface that looks more and more like Google and those within the search industry have speculated on the in-house pay-per-click advertising program that Microsoft is sure to launch once they establish their new search engine.

The full article, titled "Microsoft on the Trail of Google" is available (requires free subscription) at The New York Times Web site.