Conversations with advisers to several potential candidates suggest that the first reason for the slow ramp-up is a basic one: The coming campaign isn't for an open seat in the White House, but rather will be a race against an incumbent president.

WSJ: Why Is the 2012 Race Off to Such a Slow Start?

The very slow start of Windows 7 is the best sign that the window of opportunity for an additional ecosystem to ramp-up is closing fast.

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