Microsoft Says IBM/Linux Their Biggest Threat

krypt0n0mic0n writes "An article at The Register shows that Microsoft sees IBM and Linux as the biggest threats to their market domination. Microsoft's Eric Rudder is quoted as saying that Linux is a "formidable" challenge and that "IBM is our greatest competitor. In the way they sell products and compete in corporate accounts." It goes on to say that they believe the NET server will be a challenge to these competitors."

Comments

Re:Why do they get away with their TCO nonsense?

[An Ominous Coward]

It seems that Microsoft has been using the "Linux is only free if your time isn't worth anything" argument far too often without any real response from the OSS/Free software community.

Because it's true.

But why is nobody in the media pointing out that *implementing and maintaining Microsoft software is similarly time consuming* and that, over any reasonable period of time, it's *at least as costly* as Linux?

Because it's not true.

The true benefits of Linux need to be restated - as well as being 'free', it's also robust, powerful, usable.

Ha!

(Good-bye, Karma)

Re:Opinion Piece: Time to go for the kill..

[Clockwurk]

"Why aren't programmers in the US going after careers doing Free Software?"

I am sitting here in stunned silence as I contemplate your sub-50 IQ, the immense stupidity of your comment utterly destroying my faith in humanity's ability to rise very far above the astuteness of the primordial ooze from which man emerged. You have single-handedly extinguished the candle of hope that all is not lost by crushing it under the heel of idiocy. You have taken a giant leap backwards for mankind, harking back to the age of the Neanderthal, lowering the intelligence of all that surround you. I also have suffered irrevocable damage because of your post (you will be hearing from my lawyer involving restitution for my suffering). In order to both enlighten you and protect further generations of man that may stumble across your logical landmine, I will now tell you a little secret. Ready? Here it comes. If software is free, you won't get any money for writing it. If you don't make money from your trade, you can't really build a career out of it. When you finally understand what I have just said (I'm guessing 6-8 weeks for full comprehension), you can then send me a thank-you note for pointing this all out to you (don't rush yourself trying to understand it all, I am very patient and don't mind waiting).
Cheers,
Dave