"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you win."

--(Usually attributed to) Mahatma Gandhi

Summary: Microsoft lies about GNU/Linux, which means it ran out of fear tactics and is now just using libel/slander tactics

SEVERAL weeks ago we showed that Microsoft had resorted to the last phase in its competition against software freedom [1, 2]. By choosing to go this way Microsoft only alienates more people as opposed to winning any friends.

Microsoft says that "Linux at the end of its life cycle," according to Dr. Moody who translated from Russian:

The idea that "Linux is at the end of its life cycle" is rather rich coming from the vendor of a platform that is increasingly losing market share, both at the top and bottom end of the market, while Linux just gets stronger. I'd wager that variants of Linux will be around rather longer than Windows.

Microsoft's claim is hilarious for so many other reasons and we'll leave the subject at that. Below are some Russia-related links about other things Microsoft is doing to suppress GNU/Linux adoption. It's a losing battle as it drives down the cost of Windows, devalues Windows, and leads Microsoft to so-called 'piracy' crackdowns which only accelerate defections to GNU/Linux.

FUD about GNU/Linux has generally increased a lot recently and the argument is void, it's exceptionally weak. We have some new examples mentioned in the IRC logs and audiocasts (but not enough time to cover them in posts). ⬆

• Why Dmitry Medvedev Should Not Invite Microsoft
• Is Microsoft Paying Russia to Take Schools off GNU/Linux and Halt Antitrust Action?
• Russia Continues Migration to GNU/Linux in Government, Microsoft Creates New Prevention Measures
• Russia Continues Migration to GNU/Linux in Government, Microsoft Creates New Prevention Measures
• How Microsoft Sabotages GNU/Linux Adoption in Russian Schools
• Russia to Microsoft: Stop Forcing People to Buy Windows
• Russia's Antimonopoly Service Targets ASUS, Toshiba, H-P, Samsung and Dell for Potentially Colluding with Microsoft
• The United States and Russia Take Extra Steps Against Microsoft's Monopoly Abuse
• Microsoft Antitrust in Europe, Russia, South Korea
• Microsoft Hits Russia Harder with Anti-Linux
• Off Topic: Microsoft Crime/Dirty Tricks Watch (Updated)
• OOXML Vote in Russia Overwhelmed by Scale and Pressure (Updated)
• Novell, Stay Out of Russia With Your Microsoft Software Patents Scam (Updated)
• “In Soviet Russia, Code Opens Microsoft”
• Catching up With Microsoft
• Russia Keeps Working on GNU/Linux (and Fighting Against Microsoft Corruption)
• More Criminal Activity in Bill Gates' Past (Corbis Fraud), Russian Spies at Microsoft
• Microsoft Pulls an EDGI in Russia to Block GNU/Linux in Schools
• Microsoft-funded IDC (IDG) Attacks GNU/Linux in Russian Schools, Accused of Using “Corrupt” Data