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Bruce Perens Canned by HP
bmarklein writes "Bruce Perens has been fired by HP for "Microsoft-baiting". This was linked in part to the HP-Compaq merger, since Windows is now a much bigger part of HP's business."
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Hey Bruce, why not run for congress?
You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
What makes me nervous is that Microsoft might have threatened HP in some way as a partner. They obviously wouldn't want a partner promoting their product with internal factions insulting it. For that matter, HP 's argument might be that it's hard to sale your product, loaded with Windows, when you have vocal employees talking about security and usabiltiy problems.
Can I bum a sig?
But... you are being naive if you think the list you describe in your parody doesn't exist. I have been in meetings (not in the computer industry, but the principle is the same) where such things are discussed. Every successful business does indeed do that sort of thing. Given the threat that Linux poses to Microsoft's revenue stream, it would be foolish of them not to hold such discussions.
sPh
If I moved from n to 1 on the list of a vendor's customers, why wouldn't I see increased leverage with my vendor?
The merger was bitterly fought and hard won by Carly Fiorina vs the old guard of the company. It got ugly and personal. Fiorina is under extreme scrutiny and pressure to show that it was a good idea to buy CPQ. If HP management perceives that there could be any problems with M$, even if there isn't really a threat, they have to do something, because they cannot afford any missteps with Compaq.
So, to answer your question, even if HPQ theoretically has more leverage with M$, management is not in a position to use that leverage because they cannot afford to be seen as battling M$.
Send lawyers, guns, and money. Dad, get me out of this.
Bruce
Bruce Perens.
Hear, Hear!
A good way for you to point this out to others is to mention that governments give corporations the permission to be corporations, on the presumption that they will benefit the society. The people who run the corp. get protections not allowed for individuals. In exchange, society at large can and should expect that corporation to benefit society.
For most corporations (especially lately) society has only asked for economic growth from them. It is entirely understandable that a company would forget or try to minimize their other obligations (federal government, irs, state government, SEC, etc..) Especially since the people's voice to businesses is largely through the government and courts which are themselves often swayed by money.
Bravo for calling out this oft-quoted fallacy for what it is.
-pos
The truth is more important than the facts.
-Frank Lloyd Wright