Technology has enabled them to leapfrog many other countries and become a digital trendsetter because internet usage in Turkey has gone beyond a means of entertainment.
Unrest in Egypt is particularly unsettling, because it is the cultural center of the Arab world and is often seen as a trend-setter for the rest of the region.
Since Steve Ballmer took over from Bill Gates as chief executive in 2000, Microsoft's share price has languished and the company has lost its reputation as a tech trend-setter.