Quote - Truespace surely isn't the easiest software package to learn, but I would not call it outdated. The last version has the disadvantage that it's a hybrid between the new and the old Truespace - which does not help learning it. 

A sad thing that Microsoft just bought it to slaughter it. 

Just a guess here, but by "outdated" I think he might have meant its ui and workflow.
Used to be there was no real "industry standard", but slowly over time industry standards have emerged in all programs, not just 3D.
If you know how to model in 3D... That is, if you know the tools in general, the common terms, the typical functions, the "standard" icons and labels, you should be able to easily make a transition from one app to another.
But for example, if you're modeling in Max, Maya, Lightwave, Modo, and so on and suddenly find yourself in Truespace, you're going to be lost and not be able to get much done until you learn the interface itself and then all the things integral to Truespace.
So in other words, a program that can't deliver that ease of transition to you is, more or less, outdated.

I don't think Microsoft bought it to slaughter it. I think Microsoft has something planned and wanted its code for something else.