TACTICS of assimilation. They're not new. They're not so innovative. You basically try either to identify with your competition or try to make your competition identify with you (blurring differences, then taking control). This is discussed a lot behind the scenes in Techrights, albeit most of this discussion is visible in the form of IRC logs.
"I don't do this all by myself; we're a fast-growing team of passionate Free software proponents."Microsoft's assimilation tactics are nothing new. Back when the Novell patent deal was signed -- way back in 2006 -- we already saw plenty of examples of that. Among them: document format wars, Mono, Hyper-V...
https://twitter.com/TvPrivacy/status/1207002964415660032
We acknowledge but never regret that our focus on EPO scandals from 2014 to present reduced our ability to debunk Microsoft FUD. Our capacity improved a lot over the past year, so now we can cover both. Daily Links are bigger (in terms of volume) than ever before and we nowadays publish IRC logs on a daily basis -- as we used to do about a decade ago. I don't do this all by myself; we're a fast-growing team of passionate Free software proponents. We have had more guest posts over the past year and the Editorial Team publishes articles as well (sometimes it seems appropriate to not name the author).
"Never underestimate people's ability to change or reconsider their positions."One of the more amusing things I've witnessed in recent years is online fights, notably in Twitter, between former Microsoft staff and current ones. They're sparring over Microsoft's lies and delusion. It's a refreshing change. Dissent from within the company helps dispel the myths it is trying to spread (e.g. "Microsoft loves Linux").
In a similar vein, many of our sources about EPO abuses are directly or indirectly connected to the EPO. Unlike Microsoft, the EPO is a monopoly in the institutional sense (there cannot be another EPO, it enjoys a monopoly over the whole region), so people who work there recognise their obligation to the public. The EPO's 'conscientious objectors' -- like Microsoft's -- are humanity's brave, courageous risk takers. Never underestimate people's ability to change or reconsider their positions. ⬆
"One strategy that Microsoft has employed in the past is paying for the silence of people and companies. Charles Pancerzewski, formerly Microsoft’s chief auditor, became aware of Microsoft’s practice of carrying earnings from one accounting period into another, known as “managing earnings”. This practice smoothes reported revenue streams, increases share value, and misleads employees and shareholders. In addition to being unethical, it’s also illegal under U.S. Securities Law and violates Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (Fink)."
--2002 story about Charles Pancerzewski, Microsoft