Adobe Won't Kick Microsoft

So last night, when Adobe reported its most recent quarterly numbers - - which showed earnings growth of about 40 percent - - Steven Ashley, an analyst with Robert W. Baird, asked Adobe CEO and president Shantanu Narayen, "Have you seen any change in the mix of your Creative Solutions versions, Mac versus PC?"

Narayan responded, "Both the Mac and Windows continue to be strong drivers of performance in our Creative business, Steve."

Ashley declined to follow up.

Considering they're the only platforms that Adobe uses for its Creative Suite business, it's not like Narayan went out on a limb to provide insight. Anecdotal evidence tells us that the graphics business is seeing a significant shift to the Mac platform from the Windows platform, and the numbers certainly indicate Mac is seeing significantly higher growth rates than Windows. But many a career has been lost by counting Microsoft out, so Narayan appears to be choosing the better part of valor.

Adobe executives last night did briefly mention Adobe Air for Linux, a new offering the company has available that allows for some extension of apps from Mac or Windows to Linux platforms. But if you're looking for someone to kick Microsoft when it appears to be down, don't stop at Adobe. Move along. Nothing to see here.