What Microsoft has done today is prove they're very focused about providing a top of the line personal computing experience. You can argue about server, but when it comes to applications (which are floating windows), Microsoft Windows has proven they can keep that title for their operating system. I'm glad to see them take ownership over the hardware. That has always been the black mark. I build my own PCs and always…
Microsoft's server software is actually top-notch and has been for years. Server 2003 was rough, but after that MS really started improving the management tools and allowing a lot more command line via powershell, etc. And in corporate America, Microsoft's Server products are near-ubiquitous. Consider that most of the in-house workflow tools at any company are built in Sharepoint -- and Sharepoint is actually a great…
Those are two things that I would never say together. Lync is great if you are all on Windows within the same building or campus perhaps, but the video quality is horrible compared to Google Hangout or (consumer) Skype for cross country and international communication.
Also: Lync is now called "Skype for Business" and old Lync will be sunsetted per http://research.gigaom.com/2014/11/microsoft-announces-skype...