Will Microsoft ever cut the crap?

Summary: A quick look at ways in which Microsoft markets its closed ecosystem under misleading banners

THERE are all sorts of articles out there that can truly bother one's mind. For starters, Microsoft's latest spin on 'Open' XML is being deconstructed by Andre, who concludes:

Mandatory ODF policies are only a small step in a long transformation process in the field of communications technologies but it is time to walk the talk. The financial markets have shown that we cannot afford to lean back on the regulatory side as society as a whole suffers the consequences.

Last week we wrote about "open source" events that Microsoft had invaded and we now find that it organises one too. Microsoft, however, not a sponsor of SD Forum which helps it form this self-praising charade and there are similar PR moves that may culminate in the loss of the meaning of "open source".

As one reader pointed out to us, Microsoft's official "/opensource" page contains references to "BizSpark" and things like "Silverlight" that are very much weapons against GNU/Linux and Free software (in the GPL sense). Diluting the value of the term "open source" is clearly the goal, not just the means of accomplishing this goal. According to a new article about MIX, it's all about Microsoft's closed-source technologies.

Microsoft is continuing its courtship of students, some as young as high school age, to bring new blood into the ranks of .NET developers and Microsoft platform users.

Another new press release is titled "Microsoft BizSpark Accelerator at SXSW Interactive Announces Winners," so there is another public event where Microsoft is flogging its FOSS-hostile initiative, bringing it to Lebanon too.

The other day we wrote about what Microsoft had been up to in Thailand. It's coming to a conclusion now that the country's leadership lends Microsoft further control. ⬆