Microsoft memo: Linux fight backfiring
Some of Microsoft's efforts to disparage open-source software such as Linux have backfired, according to a recent memo by the software maker.
Top Microsoft executives, including co-founder Bill Gates and Chief Executive Steve Ballmer, have long derided open-source software as being everything from a "cancer" to "Pac-Man-like." But those messages have failed to diminish the popularity of open-source programs such as Linux among developers and customers, according to a Microsoft memo distributed at a strategy meeting in Berlin in September...more [CNet News]
You have to expect that at some point the people in Redmond wake up and smell their coffee - Starbucks. The obvious has struck someone, negative messages don't sell when you have such a huge perceived price difference. Fighting free software that works is difficult when you spend so much time sending out 'Security Advisories' and patches. If Microsoft would put its focus on real quality coding and security; instead of phony corporate campaigns like the 'Trustworthy Computing' initiative, It might actually achieve something. Too bad they're only focused on seeing how high that 40 billion dollar reserve can grow.
Microsoft has done its best to drive this home with its move to a new pricing structure that seeks to suck even more money out of its corporate customers. The mistake was doing this in such a down economy and thinking it would be greeted with open arms. The real victory in slowing the Microsoft army is coming from the inertia that builds in large organizations. The myoptic view that comes from standing at the top of the mountain doesn't help either. Only time will tell...mj
8:32:51 AM 
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