Photo by Robert Scoble, former Microsoft AstroTurfer ("Evangelist")

Summary: Microsoft is still a business partner of O'Reilly and people can make their opinion on this heard by simply avoiding O'Reilly

O'Reilly's lip service to Microsoft is a subject that we covered here before [1, 2, 3], even weeks ago. We are disappointed to say that O'Reilly is proudly helping to spread Microsoft's gospel, which only puts shackles on people and rewards a company with a long criminal record. O'Reilly should be shamed of itself, but there's money on the table, so why would they care?

I hereby remove my subscriptions to O'Reilly Web sites and encourage others to do the same. There are companies and publishers much more deserving of readership. While O'Reilly is abandoning its UNIX/Linux/Free software focus, Packt Publishing is apparently gaining such focus. Give money to companies that respect people's freedom and better protect social justice. ⬆

"In the last several days Microsoft has shown that despite claims of acquiring a newly found respect for open principles and technology, developers should be cautious in believing promises made by this “new” Microsoft. [...] There is one other fact clear from this case. Microsoft does not appear to be a leopard capable of changing its spots. Maybe it’s time developers go on a diet from Microsoft and get the FAT out of their products."

--Jim Zemlin, Linux Foundation Executive Director, 2009