Can't We All Just Get Along???

I'm somewhat troubled, but quite amused and very entertained by the persistent sniping, back-biting and he-said-she-said attacks that still permeate the WDS/WAN optimization arena…

Actually this has all the makings of a classic Aaron Spelling drama (but I swear I've never seen Dynasty or Melrose Place)  - we have the corporate titan that, because of a really bad architectural choice, has to resort to the usual things - coersion, threats, gimmicks and deception; the altruistic leader that wants to take the high road but deep down is a ruthless competitor who wants the other guys dead; the evil step-child who has cobbled together a sub-par solution through various corporate name changes, strategy re-alignments, and acquisitions; and the pesky little brat who will do anything or say anything to get attention.  (Ed note: a free Riverbed t-shirt to the first person to assign the correct company names to the above)

As the great philospher Rodney King once pleaded…  "Can't we all just get along?" 

While negative in nature, it's a positive sign that indicates the market is still maturing and growing.  Everyone has their place… until the titan abondons its losing proposition and the little brat runs out of money and goes away.  Let's just try to keep the conversation fact-based, customer-focused, and semi-civil.

I suppose that passion and allegiance to one's company doctrine is a good thing… but if I've got to experience an Aaron Spelling creation, I'd rather watch Charlie's Angels.