Nobody Wants to Pay for the 'Microsoft Linux Distribution'

Dr. Roy Schestowitz

2007-06-10 04:49:42 UTC
Modified: 2007-06-10 04:52:21 UTC

A new blog post about the "Microsoft Linux distribution" has caught our attention. However sensationalist it may be, therein lies another explanation of Microsoft's Grand Plan, which is not only to divide, to accuse, and to spread fear. It is also about making money from your competitor's product. This video on antitrust has an excellent example of this strategy, taken from early 20^th century history.

The New Distro is Microsoft

These companies are now paying Microsoft. Sure, Microsoft is paying them as well...but the kicker is this: These companies are paying Microsoft for Linux.

One must now rely on the new software licence, which effectively impedes Microsoft's shrewd effort. The Xandros deal led to this article which -- more than anything -- appears to be taking cheap shots at the GPL. InformationWeek and some other commercialised publications are no exception. It is neither new nor surprising.

The deals must stop and the way to achieve this is to give a clear prior warning to distributors who are led into fear and confusion. We must not see companies like Linspire and Mandrakesoft take a lump money and run. If companies ever receive money for admission of guilt which they subsequently deny (see below), then this must be highlighted. In retrospect (some time in the future, if ever), attempts at market manipulation through payoffs to 'close down shop' can be highlighted.

And please, Novell and Xandros, don't whine that Microsoft pulled a fast one on you, and reiterate that open source is clean. No one needed you to tell them that. Innocent until proven guilty in this country. And especially in light of all the evidence that points against such claims.

Judging by this voice, which is not the exception, the open source community (and yes, even the commercial one, i.e. industry) still appears to be dennouncing the actions of Novell and Xandros. Never think the opposite, no matter what Novell tells you.

Comments

gpl1

2007-06-10 05:59:54

This company goes through consent decrees and antitrust orders like newspaper. I swear, each word they speak must be calculated to push poor Neelie Kroes into further anger.
Roy Schestowitz

2007-06-10 07:52:07

Anger/desparation/impatience....

I suppose you're also thinking of last night's news from MarketWatch:

http://boycottnovell.com/2007/06/09/tax-standards-madness/

When there is so much money (=control) at stake, there is almost nothing you can do.

EU official joins consultancy serving Microsoft http://today.reuters.com/news/articleinvesting.aspx?view=CN&storyID=2006-10-03T134311Z_01_L03693228_RTRIDST_0_TECH-MICROSOFT-OFFICIAL.XML&rpc=66&type=qcna

US ambassador to the EU was former Microsoft lobbyist http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=34706

US politicians go to bat for Microsoft http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/09/26/microsoft_eu_political_lobbying/

EU's Kroes denies vendetta against Microsoft http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/3631041

Leaked letter warns of open source 'threat to eco-system' [in Europe] http://www.techworld.com/news/index.cfm?RSS&NewsID=7109

European Commission denies favouring open source http://uk.news.yahoo.com/30012007/152/european-commission-denies-favouring-open-source.html

Links that are no longer valid (404) do make you wonder as well, don't they?

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Nobody Wants to Pay for the 'Microsoft Linux Distribution'

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