How the Growth of GNU/Linux, a Growth of Worldwide Extent, is Rapidly Accelerating Microsoft Layoffs
THE global GNU/Linux "market share" estimates are up for a second day in a row (screenshot below), not far from the all-time high of 4.86%.
We're being reminded, however, that this isn't the full story. Any gains like these have a devastating impact on Microsoft. And Microsoft layoffs are back in the headlines this week (some links related to this will be included in the next batch of Daily Links).
"The market share posts are important," an associate explains. "In them it is important to drive home the following two points, ad nauseum:
"1) Microsoft cannot command monopoly rents with such a low market share
"2) Microsoft got (or gets) its income from monopoly rents not directly from sales
"Therefore Microsoft has had its major money supply (the rents) cut off and it's been gone for a while and not coming back.
"I would recommend that each market share post mention the loss of monopoly rents in some way or another."
From now on we'll try to repeat these points habitually. It hurts Microsoft when people say this. And it's true.
Right now Microsoft is trying really hard to mask the layoffs. In recent months Geekwire was repeating the lie that Microsoft headcount was stable (but counting Activision staff). Remember that Geekwire is sponsored by Microsoft. They don't even deny it. They're a propaganda outlet. They have even burned Microsoft whistleblowers to show their loyalty to Brad Smith and Bill Gates. This is their latest PR spin, insisting that down is "up". Layoffs are "jobs surge"! Come on, who makes up this nonsense?
Anyway, Microsoft is hurting and running out of cash (not even cash but hypothetical money) and looking for more bailouts from the American taxpayers.
"...hence the increase in layoffs," the associate notes, "and misdirection about 'AI'. The layoffs are probably due to lack of income and reduced income. The layoffs are thus probably a distraction from the reduced income."
GNU/Linux growing is a huge problem for Microsoft. It's all about the monopoly rents.
The subject was explored in this film project ("the Digital Tipping Point") a couple of decades ago. To quote the FSF: "Christian Einfeldt is producing a documentary movie called the Digital Tipping Point about how free software is changing global culture. He is releasing all of his footage under a free license, and is inviting participants to grab the video and use it to tell stories about how free software has changed their lives. He also wants the film to be produced using only free software tools."
More is the OpenOffice.org site, with that same (but partial) quote in Ian D. Allen's site.
Christian Einfeldt recounts, "One of the most moving interviews among the hundred or so interviews that we have done so far for the Digital Tipping Point film came from Brazilian Culture Minister Gilberto Gil. He was describing what open source software meant to him. He paused for a moment, spread his arms wide, and said with a big smile on his face, "It's walking toward freedom, freedom of use, freedom of speech, freedom of relationship... I think that's what it's about.
The Brazilian people have since then adopted a lot more of GNU/Linux despite Microsoft's propaganda.
Free software flies you to the moon. Windows grounds all your flights. █
