THE image above is of a real product and the image at the bottom is the cover of a book called "Geeks Bearing Gifts"* -- a book which has just been reviewed by Free Software Magazine (it was published in 2009). There are some brow-raising parts in there, such as:
Chapter 10 was a well-written summary on the Free Software and Open Source movements and the rise of GNU/Linux. It highlights Richard Stallman’s founding of the Free Software movement and laments that the term “Linux” is used to refer to the whole GNU/Linux operating system. A somewhat balanced view of the difference of opinion between the Open Source and Free Software movements is provided. The GNU GPL (General Public License) is called viral and draconian, but soon after, Nelson points out that “open source” has created various “shadings, alternatives, and complexities”.
VARs Irked By New Microsoft Customer Satisfaction Policy
January is traditionally a time when Microsoft (NSDQ:MSFT) Gold partners re-enroll in the software giant's partner program. But what is normally an uneventful process is taking on new significance this year as Microsoft is now requiring VARs to take part in customer satisfaction surveys in order to stay in the program.
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The problem is that many solution providers view customer satisfaction as something for which they should be solely responsible. VARs also aren't very gung-ho about sharing their customer contact data, even when a third party is handling the survey. Although VARs understand why Microsoft is doing this, they're not happy about it.
"Microsoft's heart is in the right place, but they shouldn't make it a requirement," said Dave Sobel, CEO of Evolve Technologies, a Fairfax, Va.-based Gold partner.
