The decline and fall of the Roman empire, according to Gibbons, was down to a loss of civic virtue and the growing influence of Christianity. In short, the Romans had become soft and flabby; and their reward was no longer in conquest but in heaven.

Some time back, when its attention was on its lawsuits and not on its business, Microsoft also became soft and flabby. By the time it settled its various battles, Gates’ narrow focus on ‘a computer on every desk’ became fuzzy. First, everything on the internet had to have a Microsoft version. Then every device needed to run Microsoft software: PDAs, Phones, Game consoles, and now music.

Zunes seems like the counterpunch of an aging heavyweight boxer who swings giant roundhouse blows that seldom connect. The company itself is still dangerous. It can still knock you out. But most people can nimbly avoid getting struck.

Microsoft is the George Foreman of technology (though not as likeable) and unless it re-invents itself (what about a Microsoft grill?), its decline will be assured as Mike Tyson’s. Perhaps Microsoft’s only consolation is that eventually the iPod will also suffer a similar fate. After all, after the Romans came the Vikings; you only to have to look at Sweden’s current sphere of influence to see how well they fared.