Slashdot Mirror
Halloween VII
mjh writes "ESR has reviewed the latest Microsoft leaked Linux strategy document. A very interesting read. Summary: OSS is winning some battles, but Microsoft is poised to bring out bigger and nastier guns." To the extent that people read it and gain some insight into what Microsoft is actually thinking about Linux and Open Source Software, it's useful. To the extent that anyone draws a conclusion from this document like "we've got Microsoft on the run", that's just idiotic.
Although this seems legit at-a-glance, I can't find any proof that this is truely an internal MS document. Time for me to start querying the insiders :-).
There is no longer anything that can be done with computers that is nontrivial and clearly legal. -- Paul Phillips
Has there really been 7 of these things already?
Ñ'
... but mostly incorporating ideas and concepts into their OS. Maybe sometimes OS projects should also pay attention to succesful companies (from marketing, not technical point of view).
;)
Remember a lie repeated 1000 times can become truth
Notepad specialist & FAT administrator, group training available
Reportedly The Leaked Stragey Document only runs on an ATI RADEON 9700, and is pretty slugish even on the most high-end 3Mhz PC's. Oh wait - that's the leaked Doom 3 Alpha, never mind.
The Germans, French and Japanese are tending towards Open Source Software.
We can share some of our source code and make inroads on Open Source software.
All in all, a rather vapid document, but at least ESR restrained himself on the asides. Funny how losing 99% of your paper wealth can make one more humble.
A. Rightmann
Whats the chances of this "Leak" being intentional? M$ isn't to be underestimated, especially not with pockets as deep as theirs.
The essence of the document was that MS's attacks on the viral nature of the GPL weren't working and that they'd do better to extol the virtues of their own product.
:)
Notice that, for the most part, the exact opposite strategy works for Linux advocates.
This is because Microsoft, as the dominant player, has to justify it's own existence again and again, whereas Linux as the (initial) underdg, had nothing to lose by tearing down its rival. After all, as a multi-billion $$$ company, everyone knows that Microsoft can financially dominate the PR world to badmouth its competitors.
Does this spell the end of "Linux is Bad/The GPL is unAmerican" propaganda from Microsoft? That coul dbe a disaster, because then we wouldn't have anything to flame about on slashdot anymore!
While this might be a document produced by one of the thousands of MS minions, by no means is this the MS linux strategy document. Anyone who thinks so is incredible foolish.
.net.
The MS linux strategy document is probably 1000 pages and is divided into three huge camps:
1. enterprize server market (.net)
2. deparment server market (win2k server)
3. desktop OS
They are probably closlely looking into the latest desktop linux distros from red hat and ximian and shitting their pants.
They are still trying to figure out how to roll out
They are maintaining share in the department server market, but are aware that the eventual TOC issue is going to hand them their lunch soon.
A company with 40 billion in cash and a 20 billion/year business doesn't write 2 page strategy documents.
Someone you trust is one of us.
Tom.
Oh arse
scary piano music in the background...
Deep voice: Just whn you thought it was safe to turn off your computer..
Someone in a Bill Gates mask jumps out from behind the desk and starts chasing the user while brandishing a giant paperclip.
Paperclip: You look like you're being hunted by a madman in a Bill Gates mask. Do you need any help?
JET Program: see Japan, meet intere
Well, it was all pretty sane up to that point; it's nice to know our opponents are still smoking crack -ESR
I'm sorry, but if I was an IT manager of a corporation and if I was reading this commentary I would assume no credibility to ESR after this comment. Grow Up.
There is no longer anything that can be done with computers that is nontrivial and clearly legal. -- Paul Phillips
Messages that criticize OSS, Linux, & the GPL are NOT effective. Messaging that discusses possible Linux patent violations, pings the OSS development process for lacking accountability, attempts to call out the 'viral' aspect of the GPL, and the like are only marginally effective in driving unfavorable opinions around OSS, Linux, and the GPL, and in some cases backfire. On the other hand 'positive' OSS, Linux, and GPL messages are very effective - both across geographies and audiences.
(reviewer's comment):
{I've suspected for a while that the anti-Linux, anti-GPL FUD campaign was actually rebounding on Microsoft. This seems to confirm it.}
I think this speaks also to the fact that WE should not be anti-Microsoft, but be pro-OSS. Being positive does a lot more than being negative. I find that this is a challenge for me personally, but I am working on it.
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
Closing, those who are familiar with OSS and Linux are favorably predisposed towards them. Linking this work with other on-point research, we can assume that in the majority of cases this reported 'favorability' is more emotional than it is rational. Given this context, we should not expect rational arguments focused on undermining support for OSS, Linux and the GPL to perform well. In the short term, then, Microsoft should avoid criticizing OSS and Linux directly, continue to develop and aim to eventually win the TCO argument, and focus on delivering positive Shared Source messages that contain transparent, audience specific proof points.
Excuse me? Because people in Microsoft's survey were supportive of OSS, that means that they were predisposed to like it, and therefore is based on emotion and not rationality?! This doesn't make any sense. What is this trying to say, that people who like OSS are simply using it to make a statement, and not becaue they legitimately prefer it? That is a pretty arrogant assessment of the FACTS if you ask me. I use OSS because I find it to be a better product, for several different practical reasons. And since when is it a rule that you can't be rational AND emotional about something?
My beliefs do not require that you agree with them.
Developer: A non-manager. In this survey, a disjoint category from "IT Pro'. Therefore, it probably means anybody with a technical clue.
In fact by 'Developer' Microsoft means: 'person who writes software'. Its really interesting (in a good way) that ESR makes no mental distinction between a user and someone who can contribute, whereas for MS they are totally different categories.
Watch any documentary about the infancy of the computer world and you'll hear the phrase "killer app" about a billion times. The real goal should be to get to the point where the line between it and Windows is transparent. The fact that Linux is free and more stable obviously isn't a selling point for most computer users, but get to the point where the desktops are just as intuitive, where all the apps people want to use are available in their Linux form and can interact with Windows apps: the basics: Office, AIM, Solitare :), and more importantly the more advanced stuff like Adobe's software, Macromedia, High end audio and sequencing software like eMagic Logic, and Cycling 74's Max/MSP...
Most people that buy a Windows computer with Windows preinstalled aren't going to switch, or at least most will be absolutely intimidated by the idea, so you have to get them when they purchase the computer. Get Linux boxes into stores and available through the channels people buy through online, if somebody is looking at two identical computers that have the same stats, can run the "same" programs, and one of them costs $300 less because it doesn't have to bother with MS, then you have a winner.
The real issue isn't what MS does to combat open source, the only people who understand the arguments about OSS are people already involved. The average computer user just wants something to run Office and get on the web...
sig.
This is wrong. The leaked document does show that OSS is winning. The same document also shows that Microsoft knows that OSS is winning, and now Microsoft will changes it's strategy, possibly to something far more effective than it has used before.
The author of the article, who I quoted above, is wrong. Now is not the time for OSS to rest on it's laurels. Now that MS has realized it's blunders, you can bet they will be doing something about it. MS ain't stoopid, and they've got lots of money to power any initive they can dream up.
OSS projects should redouble their efforts. The community needs stable, useful technology now more than ever to battle MS with.
Eric Raymond, clearly impressed with his own wit, writes, "BDM Business Development Manager: fancy term for IT salespeople and IT sales managers."
Biz dev and sales are quite different. Think strategy (biz dev) vs tactics (sales). Business development, well, develops new business. New markets, possibly new products, new partnerships. Sales executes, possibly getting into new markets but not on the level of biz dev.
What happens if you submit a good kernel patch in Japanese?
I imagine it wouldn't work too well. The patches I've seen have mostly been in C.
"If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
Office account for 60%+ of MS' profit and they are so far up the diminishing return curve that this is where the attack should be. There is a Office 11 beta review today that pretty much says that the user benefits of upgrading is small and more geared at developers and requires total MS on the backend. This is excellent as they are playing right into Open Source's strength: The backend. Foil this and Office 11 will have little to offer over OpenOffice et al.
Help fight continental drift.
Try that with Micro$hit, where, after upgrading the OS, you have to shell out $$$$ for software upgrades 'cause your current apps break
as a consultant i am ACTIVELY moving my customers (small businesses and home users) over to GNU/Linux.
how do i do it?
i give every customer a free 1/2 hour of consulting to bring them up to speed on the state of the computer industry. all of my customers love getting the free 1/2 hour. after the talk they feel empowered to make informed decisions about the computing technology upon which they rely.
what do i tell them?
just the same stuff most folks on slashdot already know. some details about Microsoft's focus on customer lock-in. details about long-term computing reliability via the GPL (since most folks have experienced a forced Microsoft upgrade cycle, this is music to their ears). i note that large reputable corporations are switching to GNU/Linux (IBM's seal of approval carries a lot of weight). also, i use simple analogies like Microsoft products being automobiles with the hoods welded shut.
after that 1/2 hour talk my customers usually want to make the switch immediately.
Are you even try to upgrade Mandrake 8.2 to 9 without loosing all users configuration. Or Upgrade any other distribution to the same, but more recent, distribution whom was updated every four to six mouth ? no ! I try more than one. And every time, I have to reconfigure all the user preference.
That's funny, I upgraded from Mandrake 8.2 to 9.0 (for free, I might add; I typically buy boxed sets at every other release, which is obviously not a legal option with Windows). I didn't loose (let go of, release) any configuration, nor did I lose (fail to keep possession of) any configuration.
Also I should point out that if you update every "four to six mouth", you might have problems keeping track of time. The rest of us count months, not mouths. Or is it just that your N key is umop apisdn?
Hey kids, there's only 5 days left 'til Yak Shaving Day!
Ed Muth admitted that "No. These documents do not represent an official Microsoft position or road map. They are technical analyses written by a staff engineer that represent the thoughts of one individual at one point in time. They were intended to encourage an informed internal discussion of issues by marketing and engineering middle managers." Of course they tried to make it sound as though it didn't really mean anything.
/ /w ww.microsoft.com/ntserver/highlights/editorletter. asp
They have since pulled the press release from their site but Microsoft did admit it was authentic document. I've read it myself from the horse's mouth on Microsoft's site.
Here is the Wayback Machine's archive:
http://web.archive.org/web/19990117031504/http:
Is this proof enough?
denisbergeron wrote:
> Since W3.1, you can upgrade to the next/ more
> recent version without a problem. (except of
> course the problem caused by the bsod) !
Obviously, you didn't try to upgrade to Windows 95 when it first came out. Took me eleven months of reformats and reinstalls, corrupted registry, and a near useless (and getting worse) computer before I gave up. I reformatted, reinstalled Windows 3.1, swore eternal hatred towards the Microsoft I once loved, and started looking for alternatives. Why did this take eleven months? Because I loved the concept and GUI of Windows 95 and really wanted it to work. I had been looking forward to it coming out, and had even preordered it.
In the late 90's, I experimented with various Linux distributions, built my own Linux server, etc. I eventually settled on Suse. Installation was fairly easy even then (a breeze compared to Windows 95), and I handled the lack of distribution "upgrades" by upgrading my hard drive at the same time. I'd install the new version on the new hard drive, then just copy my files and stuff over. Upgrades were fun, gave me more room, and I'd spend an hour or more carefully selecting what packages I wanted. I still have fond feelings for Linux, and I currently own the Linux based Zaurus PDA.
In the fall of 2000, thanks to the coming of OS X and some prodding by Godzilla (courtesy of the extremely pro-Apple movie "Godzilla 2000"), I took a look at Apple's Macs for the first time since a chance encounter in a college book store back in 1985. This time I appreciated what I saw, and fell in love. I bought an iMac, and when OS X first released, I installed it without any headaches.
Exactly seven years after my Windows 95 nightmare began, Apple released OS X Jaguar. Again I brought an OS of great promise home to install it. This time, though, the results were very different: everything I'd hoped for for the past seven years came true.
On December 14, 1996, Mothra resurrected a charred Apple sapling ("Mosura" 1996).
On December 14, 2001, Mothra returned to see its fruit ("Gojira, Mosura, Kingu Ghidora: Daikaiju Soukougeki").
OS X Jaguar: truly the Apple of Mothra's Aqua eye.
And it also includes Office, right?