a quick thought experiment
"Microsoft doesn't call the shots, and if said retailers really want to sell XP, Microsoft will gladly sell them more licenses."
Imagine for a moment that Microsoft wants to sell Vista, instead of XP (this is obviously the case). Now imagine for a moment that you're a retailer. Where are you going to get copies of XP to sell if you want to sell them, but Microsoft doesn't want you to do so? What are you going to do about shrinking profits on Vista, as well, if Microsoft doesn't give you the same (lower) wholesale prices because you won't replace the XP stock on your shelves with Vista?
Are you entirely unaware of how the software industry actually works (particularly when dealing with the major software vendors, like Microsot)?
