Microsoft Loses Showdown in Houston

An anonymous reader writes "It seems the city of Houston has decided against using Microsoft software. It really is amazing how much it costs to use (and maintain) software. I can't help but wonder if this will become a trend." Turns out they decided on the relativly unknown SimDesk suite, which has nothing to do with The Sims, sadly. Many, many posts about this. In additional news seldo writes "There's an interesting interview on News.Com with Peter Houston. He discusses Microsoft's changing attitude in competing with Linux -- no longer calling it a "cancer" but instead promoting the advantages of Windows."

Comments

SimDesk bogus patents

[StCredZero]

From the SimExplorer page on the SimDesk site:

Several patents have been filed for SimExplorer, including a recycle bin available on the Internet. SimExplorer moves deleted data to a virtual recycle bin and allows users to recover or restore that data if it was deleted by mistake. Previously, this functionality was only available on Microsoft© platforms: SimExplorer now makes it possible on all computer platforms.

Sorry, but it's already out there for multiple platforms. All they did was put it behind the familiar "Recycle bin" interface. This isn't so different from the Amazon one-click patent.

OSS software? Not that I could see, either

[ackthpt]

It's effectively delivering applications which run from a server (which we used to do back in the dark ages before everyone got a bug up their a55 to have software installed on 1.0e09 computers, we maintained it on the server only, what is old is new again.) The plus for Houston is that this suite of apps runs on a multitude of devices, not just your big hulking desktop PC or watered down interfaces on smaller devices. It does appear to indicate they will invest more in network bandwidth and hardware (HINT: If you are a network guru, apply with the City of Houston before the line gets too long.)

Yeah, it's competition for Microsoft and face it, Microsoft is the monolithic dinosaur with an aging product line. SimDesk, whatever you want to say about them, is the fleet of foot furry little rascal which is prepared for the coming ice age.

Re:Funny enough, this will be good for MS users to

[Zeinfeld]

Microsoft has spent years and years outright lying, cheating, and stealing

Hmm, actually that would be Piper, the guy who initiated the move from Microsoft:

Two days later, Piper announced his resignation to take a higher-paying job as chief technology officer for San Diego County. Council members Parker and Ada Williams, who voted for SimDesk because of Piper's assurances that the city would save money, said in interviews they felt duped when he resigned.

But Piper didn't last long in his new job. Shortly after Piper arrived in San Diego, Tatro alleged that he had rigged the bidding to assure a SimDesk win. That triggered an investigation by Houston's Inspector General, who found the allegations groundless. The county District Attorney, in a separate probe, examined Piper's financial records and stumbled into evidence that Piper may have embezzled $200,000 from his previous employer, Reliant Energy. On Dec. 11, Piper was indicted on felony theft charges and jailed.

This is hardly the type of case that one would want to use a poster-child for open source. Particularly as it appears that Sim desk is actually closed source and that this story is yet another bash Microsoft for any reason at all story. You don't think that maybe some of the slashdot editors are getting paid by a Microsoft competitor or something?

Re:Amazing

[tacocat]

Not amazing and Not Funny either.

Months ago, it was quietly announced that Peru had decided to retain their Microsoft licenses and to forgo the adoption of Linux as a wide use operating system.

I tried to submit a story to this effect, but it was rejected.. Go figure. If it isn't good news about Linux, it isn't news?