Summary: NComputing makes it official with Microsoft after adding Will Poole to its management; NeXplore makes similar mistake

NComputing was spreading GNU/Linux around the world, including some very large deployments. It was then that we noticed that a Microsoft executive had entered the company and it was only a matter of time before NComputing lost its direction. In chronological order, we wrote about the subject in:

1. Hiring Corporate Poison
2. Is Microsoft 'Hijacking' NComputing in Order to Tap Children?
3. William Poole of NComputing (Formerly Microsoft) Blamed in the Big Collusion
4. Moles Watch: Will Poole, Sprint Nextel, Wipro, Slate
5. EDGI Executive from Microsoft and His Conflicts of Interests

Microsoft may have identified the risk of NComputing, which in turn hired an anti-GNU/Linux executive (EDGI) who went over there. Just as a reminder, Microsoft's Will Poole participated in sabotaging OLPC because just like NComputing it was not helpful to the Windows monoculture. Doing this is not illegal, but it's akin to a totalitarian regime looking to change/overthrow anything or anyone with a dissenting opinion.

Over in the news, the inevitable has happened: "NComputing announces new Microsoft partnership"

According to the press release,

Initially, the collaboration with Microsoft is aimed at helping educational institutions take full advantage of multiuser computing on the Windows Server platform. NComputing and Microsoft share a commitment to advance multiuser or shared resource computing to make it easier for teachers and students in libraries, labs and classrooms to gain access to a genuine Windows experience at a lower total cost of ownership.

[...]

NComputing also supports OpenSUSE Linux, but for institutions looking to grow their Microsoft infrastructures in very cost-effective ways, this partnership should spell improved functionality and speed, as well as a real alternative to vanilla Terminal Services or TS-based Citrix solutions.

To what extent did the appointment of Will Poole lead to this? He was one of the people in charge of Windows before being relocated to Microsoft "anti-GNU/Linux" units -- those that dump software to battle market diversity.

Another company that's at risk now is NeXplore. From Marketwire: "Former Microsoft Executives Nehru and Imam Join NeXplore"

NeXplore Corporation (PINKSHEETS: NXPC) today announced the addition of two former Microsoft executives to the company's strategic development team and board of advisors. Amar Nehru, former general manager, emerging markets group for Microsoft Corporation, and Hani Imam, former general manager, finance operations for Microsoft Corporation, will provide strategic guidance to NeXplore's senior executive team in support of the company's aggressive business and revenue growth goals.

As several readers independently tell us, Microsoft is more of a "religion" than a company. That is why we keep track of its employees as they pass their sermons to other, "non-believer" (in Microsoft products) companies. It is worth adding that Mono too has its share of former Microsoft people. The project is very beneficial to their former employer. ⬆