Reiterating what I wrote - CNet News.com: Google aims for Web developers' hearts and minds

I think it is also prudent to remember a big reason Windows has been and or was so successful: Windows provided a platform for other companies to innovate, not just Microsoft.

I will say again, by enabling other companies to roll out products and innovations around a platform, this takes the onus off the platform maker, creates a market and sells more platform product; in this case Google product. I only wish other companies such as Microsoft (MSN Messenger and related), Yahoo!, AOL AIM (although they have a plugin interface) would do the same.

Perhaps sometime I will recount my experience  with Microsoft and their MSN Messenger group. There are many interesting gems there... But I digress.