04.14.08
Microsoft Linux/MSN/OOXML/Software Patent Partners: Down from 4 to Just 3 Any Time Soon?
Less is better
Linspire is the company which we expected to go down first. Ever since that heartless betrayal from Microsoft it has been clear that Linspire would face serious issue. These are issues which Kevin Carmony quite foolishly brought upon himself (later attempting to toss the blame on somebody else) and upon his innocent subordinates too.
GeekZone thinks that “Linspire is sinking” (worry not because the source lives on), but this merely confirms something we have known for quite some time. Watch this:
The above link for www.freespire.com, which really showed how bad *spire is, seems to be updated with usual Linux Desktop information now. It has all happened within one day, lol
Anyway, here are some of the screenshots from the Google Caches,
[...]
“…this domain name was obtained only after it was first offered to Linspire, Inc. and they turned it down.”
At this stage, it’s probably better and safer to use Fedora, PCLinuxOS, Ubuntu or many of the lesser-known GNU/Linux distributions that will continue to thrive without any obligations to Microsoft.
“It’s not so insane to predict that Microsoft will take over Novell in one way or another.”Novell, by the way, is far too close to Microsoft. As time goes by, those ties are only likely to be further tightened. Novell is finding it hard to pick targets these days. It makes friends with almost no-one other than IBM and Microsoft. And even Bob Sutor seems to be losing patience for and trust in them. IBM recently chose Red Hat for eastern European desktops.
It’s not so insane to predict that Microsoft will take over Novell in one way or another. And that opens the door for Microsoft to intervene more closely with the LF, OSI, FSF, kernel development, etc. It’s time to be very cautious and alert, especially with long-term vocations in mind.
Only 5 years ago, who would have guessed that Yahoo is likely to become Microsoft prey? Or that Flickr and Geocities might be passed on to Yahoo and then possibly to Microsoft? When signing up for Hotmail a long time ago, who would have realised that it’s a case of becoming part of the Microsoft network? Disgruntled users can avoid disappointment early on by being observant. Choosing Novell is not choosing freedom, but a case of choosing another silver cage. Wait until the lion enters.
As a general status report, bear in mind that Xandros is virtually invisible, incognito. ASUS merely uses a derivative of Xandros and it appears not to be obliged in any way to Microsoft, according to what a Xandros employee told us. Turbolinux is practically off the map of the English-speaking press. So, all in all, GNU/Linux is doing just fine. Defectors like Linspire must not be endorsed though. In due time, they will take a rest and if all goes well Microsoft’s Plan B will backfire again. █
“Bill Gates looks at everything as something that should be his. He acts in any way he can to make it his. It can be an idea, market share, or a contract. There is not an ounce of conscientiousness or compassion in him. The notion of fairness means nothing to him. The only thing he understands is leverage.”
–Philippe Kahn
