Summary: Layoffs inside the main opponent of software freedom are now confirmed and the story is widely covered by the media

AS we mentioned a few hours ago, the layoffs at Microsoft carry on, which doesn't really surprise us because we have heard rumours for several weeks now (since May in fact). Reuters makes the news more official, but special credit goes to Ziodotmatrix for being the first to inform us of the news by pointing to an article from yesterday (in IRC):

Microsoft is preparing to make a new round of job cuts as early as tomorrow, according to people with knowledge of the situation, but the unconfirmed numbers we're hearing are relatively small in the scheme of things -- far less than the thousands of jobs cut by the company last year.

Microsoft boosters such as Ina Fried spin it with headlines like "Source: No broad job cuts planned at Microsoft" (it gives the impression of no layoffs or minimal layoffs without giving actual numbers). The other reports that we found sometimes mentioned "KIN" and sometimes mentioned the affected locations/projects:

• Microsoft plans job cuts: Report
• Microsoft Plans Small Job Cuts: Report
• More Microsoft job cuts coming?
• Microsoft Planning Small Job Cuts
• Microsoft Will Make Small Layoffs
• Which Do You Prefer for the Press Release, Mr. Ballmer: Downsize, Rightsize or Amoritize?
• Microsoft's "small" job cuts may reach Israel
• Are new layoffs coming at Microsoft?
• Microsoft Expected to Make Small Job Cuts
• Microsoft set to make small job cuts, says report
• Microsoft Reportedly Preparing to Cut More Jobs (MSFT)
• Rumors abound of upcoming Microsoft layoffs
• Microsoft to axe a few workers
• Microsoft Reportedly Plans Small Round Of Jobs Cuts
• Microsoft Reportedly to Cut More Jobs
• Job cuts going to be soon in Microsoft-How many?
• Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) Cuts Jobs
• Microsoft planning small job-cuts as it begins it new fiscal
• Microsoft Plans Job Cuts
• Microsoft Laying Off Workers…Again
• Microsoft may slash jobs on Wednesday
• Microsoft plans new job cuts
• Microsoft 'planning job cuts'
• Microsoft prepares to cut jobs - reports
• Microsoft Reportedly Plans Small Job Cuts - Quick Facts
• Microsoft To Cut More Jobs

It was very late last night when mini-Microsoft wrote about it. See the interesting comments, which often come from anonymous and/or disgruntled employees like "mini". "Look at the Linkedin profile of Matt Bencke," writes one person, "This dude has degrees in Political Science, and still is a GM in a technological company."

Bureaucracy.

The significance of this news is that despite Microsoft's claims of strength (like those fabricated/exaggerated numbers it used over a week ago in order to raise morale), the monopolist is suffering. Without a mighty Microsoft, Free software will thrive a lot more easily. Microsoft has cost many innocent people their jobs when it violated laws and although it's nothing personal, the tyrannical entity known as Microsoft is better off dismantled. ⬆

"Pearly Gates and Em-Ballmer
One promises you heaven and the other prepares you for the grave."

--Ray Noorda, Novell