Bonum Certa Men Certa

IDG is Again Advertising and Whitewashing Microsoft in Articles About 'Open Source'

IDG on open source



Summary: Microsoft agenda is served through systematic deception and talking points which are injected by Microsoft employees (poached from an open source background)

IS IT PROVOCATION or is it simply PR? After the Microsoft "loves open source" nonsense [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Jon Brodkin from IDG (Network World) strikes again. He linked to the "loves open source" nonsense in the articles too, probably for some provocation or needless mind control. They do that a lot in Network World, embedding incorrect statements in articles that can only be corrected in rational readers' comments. For the uninitiated, the Fox News/News Corp. of technology seems to be IDG (paid by Microsoft through IDC) because it controls a lot of publications that cover technology. It has a lot of influence to sell and it sure sells influence by taking steps such as creating a "Microsoft Subnet" and stuffing it -- along with other so-called 'subnets' -- with Microsoft sympathisers. One of them writes about Windows Live Mesh and points out that GNU/Linux is excluded. "On March 31," she writes, "Microsoft will stop supporting the beta version of Live Mesh. Users of the file synching service must manually upgrade to the full production Windows Live Mesh service or lose the data stored in their folders. This cloud service synchs files between multiple Windows machines and Macs, but because it doesn't support Linux, other services like Dropbox still have an edge."



"Microsoft employee defends Microsoft? No way!"Yes, Microsoft sure loves open source, eh? It does not support a single open source platform, even on the Web which is supposed to foster open standards (Microsoft is also banning Free software in its phones). Anyway, in IDG's Microsoft section/s there is new poison and it comes in pairs. The Microsoft PR campaign now involves its employee, Gianugo Rabellino, who Brodkin says "takes on the hardest job at Microsoft" (we have heard the same thing about Hilf and Ramji). "A few months ago," says Brodkin ,"Gianugo Rabellino traded his Linux and Mac PCs for a Windows 7 laptop, left the open source company he founded and moved to Redmond for a new job with Microsoft. His goal: improve Microsoft's credibility within open source circles."

Bollocks.

His goal was to become rich. He only accepted this job because Microsoft is poaching (or at least trying) open source luminaries like Simon Phipps. His departure from "Linux and Mac PCs for a Windows 7 laptop" was just part of the deal. He sold out. There are mostly reasonable comments in the article and more in LWN (even a reference to Techrights). The whole thing is a whitewash and Dr. Glyn Moody responded to it with: "so, about those software patents MS claims OSS infringes..."

By the same author there is a second piece which got little attention. It's still from the same source, which is a full-time Microsoft employee. To quote: '"Rabellino says his main focus right now "is to enable PHP to shine on our platforms," including Windows Azure."'

Microsoft employee defends Microsoft? No way!

Satipera writes: 'Rabellino "This company (Microsoft) has changed" What nonsense. If MS could kill #FLOSS today it would.'

Of course it would, but it is trying to invade it to cause harm, just like in Nokia. More remarks about these whitewash pieces from Jon Brodkin can be found in Tuesday's IRC logs (specifically here onwards) and some of yesterday's. To quote bits and pieces from yesterday morning (including the complete quote from Groklaw), "page two is all Microsoft talking points, ass covering and propaganda." Pamela Jones wrote: "Of course, Microsoft wants developers to write for Windows instead of for Linux. But why in the world would a community person want to help them do it? Other than money. Because the end result will not be FOSS, with the F as in freedom." We're adding logs below (mostly quoting one longtime reader).




twitterI'm having a look this finally.  http://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/030111-microsoft-rabellino.htmlMar 02 05:36
TechrightsBot-trTitle: Open source expert takes on the hardest job at Microsoft .::. Size~: 129.16 KBMar 02 05:36
twitterWhile this "Apache guy" and "Hard core Debian-ista" might not be able to talk for the free software world, we can be sure that he and Network World are talking for Microsoft and I like some of the things I'm reading.Mar 02 05:38
twitterFor instance, the company finally admits, "Developers nowadays are mostly to be found in the open source world. We need to go where they are,"Mar 02 05:39
twitterThis has been apparent for about ten years but Microsoft has steadfastly denied it, arguing that no one could possibly make a living off the hobby OS and slinging other insults that we all remember.Mar 02 05:40
twitterThe company is also keen to avoid "theoretical" discussions and talk about "specifics" like how to make Windows less dismal by wasting developer time porting free software there.  Mar 02 05:42
twitterIck, they brag about having an unnamed "insider" someone that, "has inside knowledge about how to connect with [free software] people even if their contact information is not publicly available. He knows all the backchannels."  I'm guessing this is more the result of Microsoft's careful monitoring and infiltration efforts than it is a real person but it's really creepy either way.Mar 02 05:45
twitterbarf, page two is all Microsoft talking points, ass covering and propaganda.  No one following free software can read this kind of drek without feeling ill.... why am I wasting my time on it?  To see what else slips out of the obviously prostrate company. Mar 02 05:48
[...]
twitterhe he, his friends were all polite about his move to Microsoft as we might expect from free software people but not Microsoft themselves or fauxpen source exploiters.Mar 02 05:52
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[schestowitz/@schestowitz] 2011-03-01 French, English and US Special Forces Enter Libya to Reinforce Uprising #Libya #Feb17 http://ur1.ca/3dbzgMar 02 05:54
twitterLOL, "We're living in a mixed IT environment. If you want to develop something that has an impact, you cannot discount the community. Microsoft has a huge community of developers, and has always been about developers. Developers ... " He must have missed Steve Ballmer's "Advertisers, Advertisers, Advertisers" speech where Microsoft dismissed their own community.  Mar 02 05:54
schestowitzHi, twitterMar 02 05:54
twitterhiMar 02 05:54
schestowitzHold on, lemmie read..Mar 02 05:54
TechrightsBot-trTitle: 2011-03-01 French, English and US Special Forces Enter Libya to Reinforce Uprising #Libya #Feb17 | WL Central .::. Size~: 210.66 KBMar 02 05:54
twitterI'm getting tired of the article, it's mostly a puff piece. I went there because PJ laughed at it.Mar 02 05:55
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[schestowitz/@schestowitz] The #Nouveau Driver Is Moving Along Slowly But Surely http://ur1.ca/3dbzx #linuxMar 02 05:55
TechrightsBot-trTitle: [Phoronix] The Nouveau Driver Is Moving Along Slowly But Surely .::. Size~: 17.58 KBMar 02 05:55
schestowitzIt's 2Mar 02 05:56
schestowitzJoeMar 02 05:56
schestowitzPosted two whitewash pieceMar 02 05:56
schestowitzPosted two whitewash piecesMar 02 05:56
schestowitzhttp://www.networkworld.com/news/2011/030111-microsoft-php-opensource.html?hpg1=bnMar 02 05:57
TechrightsBot-trTitle: PHP user group lauds Microsoft's open source contributions .::. Size~: 126.46 KBMar 02 05:57
schestowitzIt's the same "Microsoft subnet" fluffMar 02 05:57
twitterPJ nails it.  "Of course, Microsoft wants developers to write for Windows instead of for Linux. But why in the world would a community person want to help them do it? Other than money. Because the end result will not be FOSS, with the F as in freedom."Mar 02 05:57
twitterWhat I liked was the admission that the developers are all in the free software world now.Mar 02 05:58
twitterThat's really the reason Windows sucks so bad, Microsoft drove everyone off.Mar 02 05:58
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[schestowitz/@schestowitz] ♺ @@johnsu01 The February issue of the Free Software Supporter is out, and should be landing in your mailbox shortly.Mar 02 05:59
twitterIt was always a bad deal but they decided to make it absolutely unbearable for Vista.  Mar 02 05:59
twitterNo developers, no work, game over.Mar 02 05:59
twitterI think nouveau is in squeeze.  Have not tried it yet but I have a desktop with nvidia and should give it a whirl.  The nv driver had always been "good enough" for my purposes.  Mar 02 06:00
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[carlopiana/@carlopiana] RT @giammi @carlopiana Also interesting - neither Salk nor Sabin patented their polio vaccines; they donated the rights as gifts to huma ...Mar 02 06:00
twitterIntel had me enjoying composite, but I turn it off for the extra speed boost. Mar 02 06:01
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[schestowitz/@schestowitz] ♺ @themadhatter RT @rmcla_ca: VIDEO: "Protests and Civil Liberties" re: #G8 #G20 and Vancouver #Olympics [...] http://bit.ly/fJ0qnEMar 02 06:02
TechrightsBot-trTitle: Sheldon Chumir Foundation :: Protests and Civil Liberties: Experiences in Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver .::. Size~: 18.79 KBMar 02 06:02
twittermore funnies -> ""When asked if Rabellino might urge Microsoft to build Windows computers that aren't plagued by constant updates and can start up and shut down as fast as a Linux machine, Rabellino says, "You know, it's something we should work on."Mar 02 06:02
twitterbeat badly in tech, abandoned by developers, who is Microsoft fooling?Mar 02 06:03
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[carlopiana/@carlopiana] â™» @gbraad prediction: "I think you wanna make a phone call. Can I help you?" - #Clippy on the new #NokMsft phone <LOLMar 02 06:04
-TRIdentica/#techrights-[schestowitz/@schestowitz] ♺ @themadhatter RT @oliviachow: My questions in Parl re Inquiry on #G20 and gov's response: http://bit.ly/g6O5RU #hw #fbMar 02 06:04
TechrightsBot-trTitle: Olivia Chow, MP – Olivia Chow in Question Period: Call a public inquiry now .::. Size~: 18.57 KBMar 02 06:04
twitterGross, he does the patent gangster thing.  "These licenses offer more patent protection than the more commonly used open source licenses, Rabellino indicates. ...  It's really about being pragmatic, it's not about what license to choose based on an idealistic approach. I see a lot of good stuff in Microsoft licenses when it comes to patent language. There is an advantage there. Why choose one license versus another? Do you want to protectMar 02 06:05
twitterI should probably stop readingMar 02 06:05


Comments

Recent Techrights' Posts

The 'Culture Wars' in Free Software Have Gone Out of Control
Social control media amplifies such utterly infantile discourse
10 Out of 10: RMS Attracts Massive Audience in Göteborg, Sweden (All Seats Occupied, Some People Standing)
a 55-second clip of his talk
The Lawsuit by Clients of Brett Wilson LLP Against Brett Wilson LLP is Officially On, It is Progressing, The 'Experts' Pick Outside Law Firms (RPC and Mills & Reeve) to Spare Them From Litigants in Person
So it is probably quite potent
Slopwatch: Plagiarism and "Linux" Articles by Bots
Sites that do this won't survive; many of them rely on slop services (suppliers) that will cease to exist after the bubble bursts
 
Now Confirmed in Western Media: Microsoft Azure Layoffs This Month
Affirmed by more sources moments ago
Peter O'Callaghan QC represented grandparents, Westernport Hotel, at Liquor Royal Commission
Reprinted with permission from Daniel Pocock
Either The Register MS Divests From FOSS Coverage or Liam Proven is on Long Holiday
Publishers perish when their audience loses trust in them
Microsoft Cancelling Another Datacentre is a Sign of Financial Trouble and Lack of Growth
The debt continues to grow
Gemini Links 11/10/2025: An Evening at the Fair and Fast Fourier Friday
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Friday, October 10, 2025
IRC logs for Friday, October 10, 2025
Geminispace is Very Large
The word continues to spread and the number of participants grows
Teaser: To Compensate for the Fact Our Clients Are Terrible Human Beings Who Strangle Women (While on Microsoft's Payroll) and We Get Paid by Mystery Parties We Bombard You and Your Wife With Almost 10 Kilograms of Legal Papers
If you can't win an argument, then drown the other side with papers?
Another Wave of Microsoft Layoffs, This Time During National Day Holiday
This time it's China again
Staying Happy in Times of Crackdowns on Civil Society
Optimism in this sort of "new reality" or "new normal" seems like something for the irrational person
"Nobel" Exploited Posthumously for "AI" Hype, Now They Do the Same With "Quantum"
ere have been many jokes about "Nobel" for peace (often granted to pro-war people) and a fake one for "Economics" (establishment propaganda)
Distinguished Lecture by Richard Stallman This Coming Monday in Rome
After "Free software, Crucial for Freedom in a Digital World"
Links 10/10/2025: Putin Admits Russia Downed Azerbaijan Airlines Jet, More New Heat Records
Links for the day
Noteworthy Claim That IBM is Firing a Lot of Lawyers This Week (RAs in the Legal Department)
A lot of what they do is patent 'trolling' or lawyering up against their own staff (e.g. HR disputes)
Links 10/10/2025: US Judge Bars Attacks by ICE On Journalists and Protesters; “We Took The Freedom of Speech Away” Says the President
Links for the day
Slopwatch: Serial Sloppers, Google News Gifting Slopfarms, and Fake News/Plagiarism About "Linux"
Google itself is a slop pusher these days
Qualcomm, the New Owner of Arduino, Blasted for Its Software Patents Tax on 'Smartphones'
A lot of Qualcomm's patents are on software. We wrote about this in prior years.
XBox Layoffs Rumours, Downtime, and Criticism From XBox Co-Founder
"everyone is ditching the xbox."
Links 10/10/2025: Honoring The Legacy Of Robert Murray-Smith, Many Articles on the Hey Hi (AI) Bubble
Links for the day
Gemini Links 09/10/2025: October Gothic and Reading Middle Earth Role Playing; C and Ada
Links for the day
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Thursday, October 09, 2025
IRC logs for Thursday, October 09, 2025
Links 09/10/2025: Farewell to Jane Goodall, California Bans Algorithmic Price-Fixing
Links for the day
Gemini Links 09/10/2025: Lost Wages and a Saga Of Continuing To Use Palm PDAs
Links for the day
Richard Stallman's Talk in Helsinki is Done. Tomorrow Göteborg.
There are scarce details in Finnish about Dr. Stallman's talk
New XBox Leaks Probably Serve to Confirm XBox's Collapse (Many More Layoffs)
It's very much consistent with what many other sites have reported lately
The Slop Song
The train wreck marches on
LLM Slop/Advanced Plagiarism Flooding the Zone With Capital That Does Not Exist
Many publishers out there still participate in this bubble instead of calling it what it is
Links 09/10/2025: Sacked Microsoft Workers Make "Sackbird", IBM Taps CockroachDB for PostgreSQL
Links for the day
"Happy Hacking Day" Richard Stallman Talk This Afternoon (From 14:00 to 16:00) at Haaga-Helia University in Pasila
Richard Stallman in Helsinki, Finland
Over at Tux Machines...
GNU/Linux news for the past day
IRC Proceedings: Wednesday, October 08, 2025
IRC logs for Wednesday, October 08, 2025
Links 09/10/2025: Impact of Microsoft Layoffs, More Data Breaches
Links for the day
Gemini Links 09/10/2025: Autumn Blues and C IRC Bot
Links for the day