Bonum Certa Men Certa

Open Tech Exchange Explains How Microsoft Derailed GNU/Linux in Governments, Using “Corruption”

Under NO circumstances lose against Linux before ensuring we have used this program [EDGI] actively and in a smart way.”

--Orlando Ayala, Microsoft



Summary: Some very revealing details from people who are close to bad Microsoft affairs and speak about it in audio rather than dare publish it in writing (in blunt form)

Last week we learned that "Open source adoption lags" in South Africa. To quote the report:

Although SA is still lagging behind when it comes to embracing open source software, the increase in adoption has been growing at a steady pace.

This is according to Linux Warehouse, a distributor of enterprise open source software for Southern Africa

However, SA has seen an increase because companies have been facing financial pressures, says general manager of Linux Warehouse Shannon Moodley. “The open source market is quite mature; most of the large banks and telcos use open source in some way or form and many do so in mission critical environments.”

In line with this, ITWeb and The Linux Warehouse have collaborated to carry out an Open Source Software Survey to ascertain the level of use of open source and vendor-supported software, as well as identifying potential areas where marketing and education could add value back into the market on the solutions available.


As a little recap on what Microsoft was doing to free/open source software in South Africa around 2008 (loads of examples were given at the time):



There is this good show called "Open Tech Exchange" (an audiocast) from South Africa (and occasionally elsewhere) in which Microsoft's assault on Free software in South Africa was described earlier this year. A newer episode of the show helps shed light on the dirty Microsoft tactics which Microsoft used not only in South Africa but also in other countries. The episode's summary does not mention this part, but our loyal contributor gnufreex transcribed it for future use because it's rather revealing and another reader politely asked us for it.

In this episode Darlene and I chat about Crisis Commons, the dangers of cloud computing and the behaviour of corporates.


The part that's relevant to us starts around 14 minutes from the start. The two hosts (a man and a woman called Mark and Darlene, whose voice/gender makes it simplest to distinguish, hence the omission of name from here onwards) first talk about South Africa moving to Free software and putting all the policies in place to develop many things locally.

The lady says that she came across an interesting Microsoft document about their plan not to let GNU/Linux win, no matter the cost. "For example," she says "we've talked about Brazil several times... and how the government is committed... [but] Microsoft... went into provinces... and used provinces... where the leaders [aligned with the opposition]... signed deals... they are going province by province...

"How do you win against those tactics," she asked. "Even in South Africa... they [Microsoft] announce they are going to build a laboratory..." (for an accurate transcription see below; the text here is messy because we try to succinctly encompass key points)

The South African guy in this show says (not accurate wording) that they "lost their moral dimensions to everything... it's basically breaking the rules... it's not really philanthropic or humanitarian... if you have people... sociopaths... they get put in institutions... I don't know, especially in countries that aren't in North America.. these things sound.. unethical... [people call it corruption... not euphemism, they] call it what it us... call it bribery rather than euphemistic names and stuff like that... the way they have been brought up... you play by the rules and that's OK"

The lady says "they'll take any of the royalties... they'll take them and [send] them back to incentives funds"

Looking at the documents, she explains: "how do we change the tide?" She mentions the Gates Foundation and she is very cynical about it, philanthropy being part of it while there isn't any of it (see transcript or listen to the show).

Some of the later parts are also interesting. There is an explanation of how Canonical managed to approach parts of Spain.

Later on they start talking about patents more generally. The lady says that "there is a company out there called Monsanto... this is just a small example [of patents]... so, [in] this company they have genetically-engineered their seeds... they made it into this terminator gene so that it cannot reproduce... here in Canada this corporation affected us... [tells a local story] went all the way to the Supreme Court..." (the Gates-Monsanto links are not mentioned here unfortunately).

She talks about farmers in India committing suicide over Monsanto-imposed debt. Then she explains how in Germany they patent the breeding of pigs (for pork) and mentions transplants for humans from pigs.

As this discussion about patents carries on the guy says that "Microsoft [is] becoming [like] more of a patent troll... making money from Linux"

He explains that "SCO [...] when the revenue stream dries up [...] then they'll start to thrashing around... to continue to make a profit..."

He gives HTC as an example, explaining that Apple just wants HTC to stop making Android phones and won't accept money, so HTC counter-sues. Microsoft goes to them not asking them to pay, or just tells them to say that "you are paying us a lot" in order to create a fake case against Linux and the perception that Linux owes Microsoft.

It's "the same thing as having a nuclear weapons," he argues, when you actually have no nuclear weapons at all. They won't go to Google asking for a patent deal as "they only go to companies they know they can negotiate a deal with"

Then they both mention Microsoft pressure over Dell's 10 seasons to go with GNU/Linux. The man calls it "strong-arming" and we covered this in [1, 2, 3].

The guy explains that Microsoft need only pretend to be doing "open source" in order to block genuine Free software from being adopted in the short term. It's a long-term investment for Microsoft which substituted what we once knew as Free software, instead promoting Microsoft stack-only 'open source' (marketed by Microsoft boosters like Marius Oiaga in this case).

This helps justify our attempt to dissociate Microsoft's embrace-and-extend moves from real Free software which annuls monopolies and lock-in, instead promoting standards, as well as a truly free/libre stack.

We found it rather amazing that Matt Asay, who almost took a job at Microsoft some years ago, defends Windows monopoly and other monopolies by just assuming they are a natural phenomenon. He did not accept the point that "monopoly for an open standard is a great thing, monopoly for a product is not."

Apology for Microsoft's bad behaviour is part of the problem and Asay has a history in that regard (inviting Microsoft to "Open Source" events, to OSI, and more). Yes, he almost went working for Microsoft and unlike the good guy from South Africa he doesn't call corruption "corruption"; rather, he almost defends it because it's more convenient for someone in his position who is business oriented and perhaps less ethics oriented. His role in Canonical is still worrisome given the opinions he expressed and continues to express.




Transcribed text of audiocast "Open Tech Exchange" - Episode 22



[15:00]

“And you know... Microsoft against open source, their plan is not to let Linux win at any cost, at any cost.”[Darlene:] I came across interesting documents... it was result of a court case, so this documents become public. And you know... Microsoft against open source, their plan is not to let Linux win at any cost, at any cost. So the projects I have been involved at large scale... and so for example I was talking about Brazil several times on our discussions on the show, and how government is committed to open source solutions for education. But now Microsoft is... they go in, and what they've done you see... we saw them in South Africa, but in a way... so but they go into provinces that aren't governor, or sets are not held by governing party, so the opposition party is in control of those provinces, and they go in those provinces and approached them and got them to sign deals with Microsoft and kinda undermine what the ruling party is doing... and the rest of the country. So they go province by province and manipulating the system... man... how one wins against those tactics? How do you win against those tactics? It is discouraging sometimes. Even is South Africa when there was a commitment, and we thought we might see a change here in 2010... but Microsoft just comes in and announces they are going to build huge lab. There is benefit to it, in the end. The development lab, the training lab, they promised billion rands... what are thoughts Mark?

[17:00]

“At least... in South Africa there is corruption but people still know it is corruption and call it corruption [...] While [in the west] they try to call it something, give it euphemistic name, like lobbying... they don't call it what it is.”[Mark:] I think part of the problem we have with they way companies run today... is generally why we end where we are. It is all about profits. And what is bizarre, lost all moral dimension of everything. Everything is okay as long it's within rules you're not technically breaking the rules. But they set aside all moral aspect of what you are doing. So with the [case of Microsoft] “we are giving people free software [as in piracy] just they can make sure we don't lose market-share so we can sell more software later”. There are no any philanthropic, humanitarian principle. So the whole humanism side of things is gone. That is problem with corporate this days, they are simply legal entities. If you have person without any social conscience, no empathy and no sympathy, act purely in self interest... we have word for that kind of people, they are called sociopaths. And they get put away in institutions. And yet companies can behave like sociopaths, it seen as good thing and encouraged. Legally they have better odds than a person: If something goes wrong, they just close company and start new one. Whereas if you commit a crime you got to jail, you don't get to start a new life. Especially for people that aren't in North America and developed world, those things just sound so bizarre and underhanded and unethical. I don't know how people get away with it. But it seems to be normal part of life [in developed world]. At least... in South Africa there is corruption but people still know it is corruption and call it corruption. We try and fight it, if you talk with average person on the street they will be against corruption. While [in the west] they try to call it something, give it euphemistic name, like lobbying... they don't call it what it is. People might say: in Africa corruption is endemic and it is hard to function without having to bribe somebody. That's true, but at least people know it is bribery and call it what it is, instead of making euphemistic names and stuff like that.

[20:00]

“That's true, but at least people know it is bribery and call it what it is, instead of making euphemistic names and stuff like that.”Darlene: So Microsoft does things like: They won't take any of royalties from their sales as long it doesn't affect OEMs, like the cost OEMs have to pay to put license on a machines. But then they take all of the royalties and revert them in incentive funds for all those countries. I guess after reading those document I thought “How do we change the tide”. But we are doing good. I think about my friend in Montreal, who recently left from canonical. How he worked the deal in Spain to get those large deployments of Ubuntu out there.

[25:30]

[Mark:] Microsoft is more and more becoming basically a patent troll. […]

HTC Desire, every time when you buy android phone, money goes to Microsoft. […]



Comments

Recent Techrights' Posts

Changing One's Name Won't Change One's Past
People who have earned a bad reputation are not magically "entitled" to reset
People Who Assault Women Are Not Victims of "Distress"
It seems like an American tradition. In a country with almost 50 presidents, not even one was a female.
Adoption of Gemini Protocol Still Growing
Gemini Protocol is being obscured by the media - it doesn't help that Google 'hijacked' the word "Gemini" - but people still manage to find out about it, download a client, and use it
Brett Wilson LLP "Takes it Personal" (Character Assassination, Not Professionalism). Everybody Can See That.
On behalf of violent men
Pissing Contests and Pissing Off Everyone
people who came from Microsoft are trying to vex and divide the community
Microsoft Repeats the Mistakes Made by the EPO After We Exposed a Major Microsoft/EPO Scandal 10 Years Ago
That scandal was all over the media, not just in English
 
Ubuntu is Becoming GAFAM-Like
What does that say about Canonical and Ubuntu?
Slopfarms Which Take Real Articles About GNU/Linux and Turn Them Into Copycats Which Are False
Even before the LLM hype those were quite common
The Firm That Picks on Techrights is Accustomed to Working With Criminals
Techrights never did anything illegal. So why is it being picked on by people who work with criminals?
Microsoft Said the Mass Layoffs Were for "Investment" in "AI", But It's Also Laying Off the "AI" and "Copilot" Staff
Months ago we showed many so-called "AI" people were getting the boot and this time it's the same
DryDeadFish is Dead, Long Live DryDeadFish
We kept checking, hoping it can recover from some temporary technical issue
For Quite Some Time Already Microsoft Attracts Crackpots, Scams, and More
Occasionally we talk about the situation at IBM as there are many parallels
Links 14/07/2025: Chatbots Broken Again, McHire LLM Shows Limits of the Hype
Links for the day
Slashdot Media Turned Linux Journal Into a Slopfarm and Now Slashdot Actively Promotes Anti-Linux Slopfarms
Yes, "no-nonsense" apparently means actual nonsense
Links 14/07/2025: Arresting Photographers, Threats to Revoke US Citizenship Over Criticism
Links for the day
More EPO Leaks on the Way
We hope that Mr. Rowan will actually try to refute what we say and show, not merely point the finger at the messengers
Decommodification is a Corporate Strategy Against Communities
systemd is led by Microsoft and hosted by Microsoft
copyleft.org 'Hijacked' by the People Who Attack the Person Who Created Copyleft
So far there's nothing "tasteless" in copyleft.org, but that can change at any time in the future
Asking People to Take Down Articles and Videos Only Makes These More Popular and "Viral"
If you do something bad, one of the worst things you can possibly do it try to silence those who speak about it
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Sunday, July 13, 2025
IRC logs for Sunday, July 13, 2025
Two-Thirds Towards FSF Goal, Richard Stallman to Give Talks in Europe
There are 67 left before reaching the target
Gemini Links 14/07/2025: Politicised Tech and "Leaving GitHub"
Links for the day
The Demise of LLMs
We've just checked BetaNews again. They've dropped all the slop and went back to human authors.
Gemini Links 13/07/2025: Sonpo Museum of Art and FCEUX
Links for the day
Links 13/07/2025: UnitedHealth's Censorship Campaign, Australia Wary of China
Links for the day
Firing Away With Nonsense
Or fighting fire with fire
Links 13/07/2025: Climate Crisis, GAFAM Poisoning the Water
Links for the day
Turns Out LLMs for Code Don't Save Time and Don't Improve Quality
Neither legal nor useful
The Microsofters Will Have an Obligation to Compensate Us
This story isn't just about Microsoft. It's also about corruption, there are many women victims, there is abject "abuse of process", and many more scandals to be illuminated in years to come.
Reproducing at the EPO Instead of Producing Monopolies for Foreign Monopolies With Their Price-Fixing Cartels
Does the EPO recognise the need of well-educated Europeans to bear kids?
Valnet Inc. Dominates Real (Not LLM Slop) GNU/Linux Coverage in 2025
And likely in prior years, too
Free Software Foundation (FSF) Fund Raiser Goes on
Later this month we'll expose another OSI scandal
EPO Staff Representatives Issue a Warning About Staff's Health and Inadequate Care
Even the EPO's own stakeholders (money sources) are openly protesting against what the EPO became
Links 13/07/2025: Partly Assorted News From Deutsche Welle and CBC
Links for the day
Gemini Links 13/07/2025: Board Games and Battle Styles
Gemini Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Saturday, July 12, 2025
IRC logs for Saturday, July 12, 2025
Plunder at the Second-Largest Institution in Europe
cuts, neglect, health problems, even early deaths
Links 12/07/2025: Political Developments, Attack on Opposition, Climate Actions
Links for the day
Gemini Links 12/07/2025: Melodic Musings and Small Web July
Links for the day
Links 12/07/2025: Jail in China for Homoerotica, South Korea Discriminates Against Old Workers
Links for the day
If Only Everything Was Rewritten in Rust, We'd Have No More Security Issues?
Nope.
Links 12/07/2025: Birdwatching and Fake/Misleading Wall Street 'Valuation' Figures
Links for the day
Gemini Links 12/07/2025: How to Avoid Writing, Apps for Android
Links for the day
Using SLAPPs to Cover Up Sexual Abuse and Strangulation
The exact same legal team of the Serial Strangler from Microsoft and Garrett already has a history fighting against "metoo"
EPO Staff Committee on Harassment in the Workplace
slides
Adding the Voice of Writers to UK SLAPP Reform
The journey to repair antiquated (monarchy era) laws will likely be long
EPO Takes More Money From Staff for Speculation (Pensions), Actuarial Study Explains the Impact
"The key change in this year’s Actuarial Study, due to cascading the new “risk appetite” from the financial study, is a significant increase of the total pension contribution rate of 5.7 percentage points, up to a total of 37.8%. This is driven by an unprecedented decrease in the discount rate of 105 bps down to 2.2%."
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, July 11, 2025
IRC logs for Friday, July 11, 2025