Google in no way forces you to use or choose any of their services. Anything you do with google is completely your choice. The adverts. pay for it, that's fine, google doesn't force you to buy anything. You see the ads and you ignore it or choose it. It's not the only choice that comes with a computer that you buy. Many company's offer free services on the web for anyone to use. Google has become a leader in this area because they offer great quality in their services...that you choose to use or not to use. When they start forcing you to use their service, then you should be worried. You choose what you use...

The government is STILL after Microsoft and apparently they always will be, even though one of the biggest advantages of building that better mouse trap in a free market economy is suppose to be the big profits.

Perhaps the government needs to make up their minds, is this a free market or not? If so then they need to sit down and shut up. Free market means some are also free to fail, no hand outs, bail outs or shore up money from the government, and no interferrence on behalf of those who offer an inferior product.

There is now and have been alternatives, and Apple might appreciate you pointing it out? I remember back when Apple had the very new, emerging computer industry locked up and everyone was just fine with that, until Microsoft built that first great mouse trap (Windows) and that was that. Bottom line is the government wanted Windows, Mr. Bill didn't give them what they wanted and they have been after him ever since...not exactly honorable behavior on the part of our government, is it?

MS-Bashing is on! Journalist became tech fanboys?

Microsoft made the personal computer what they are. The MS contribution to technology in that regard in GIGANTIC!

Google is very cool, very impressive, but it is NOT saint. It is no less corporation than microsoft. It amazed me how google can fool even the more virulent digital maoists. google is becoming richer and richer and it consistently uses the levage of FLOSS mouvement!

There is something mythical working here. Some for of attraction to ruins, that is the onlt reason to explain how Microsoft is so hated!

Google is worst than Microsoft because people think they are "compassionate", "good" corporation. There is NO such thing as a compassionate corporation.

Google is actually afraid of bing, despite the fact that officialy bing was NEVER promoted as a google killer. But google as a "compassionate" corporation it is so FURIOUS about 10% drop of share that is using the stupidity of blogger and hive-mind everywhere to promote itself!

Google is awesome; they offer applications for desktop and mobile web use equally, which are just as good as MICROSOFT. The kicker is that Googles apps and plug-ins are more enjoyable, useful and best of all, FREE!
Keep it up, Google!

Joshua, the government is not concerned about anti-trust issues of Google as they relate to internet users, because, as you write, you don't pay for Google's services. The consumer of online advertising is the corporation who is paying for advertising, and if that company has fewer and fewer options for advertising then the government will consider whether Google has a monopoly and is abusing it.