Slashdot Mirror
For Microsoft, Market Dominance Isn't Enough
chemstar writes "Last summer Orlando Ayala, then the top sales executive at Microsoft Corp., sent an e-mail titled 'Microsoft Confidential' to senior managers laying out a strategy to dissuade governments across the globe from choosing cheaper alternatives to the ubiquitous Windows operating system. Ayala's e-mail told executives that if a deal involving governments or large institutions looked doomed, they were authorized to draw from a special internal fund to offer software at a steep discount, or free, if necessary. Steve Ballmer, the Microsoft chief executive, was sent a copy of the e-mail.
The memo, which focused on system software for desktop computers, specifically targeted Linux, a still small but emerging competitor. "Under NO circumstances lose against Linux," Ayala said." Perhaps that's because, as roomisigloomis writes, "Seems that MS' licensing practices are working against the company," pointing out this article which "suggests that open source, Linux and other software is actively being sought."
If you think you got the second post, then: YOU FAIL IT! All your second posts are belong to me!
First Post! W00t!
Washington, DC: Bush announces plan to take over the world ...
Ottawa, Ont: Jean Cretien announces Canada's plan to bring peace on earth
Melbourne, Aus: Australian Prime Minister announces plan to give free beer to the world.
Pyong Yong: North Korean leader announces the plan to arm the every 3rd world dictactor with Nuclear Weapons.
LEIA KICKS UP A STORM (TROOPER)
Written by Jason
"Commander, tear this ship apart until you've found those plans. Bring any passengers to me, I want them alive!"
Commander Rek Kantar acknowledged the barked order from Lord Vader and strode down the battle-scarred main deck of the Tantive IV to organise his troopers into search parties. The ship was not large, and it should not take long to conduct a sweep, but Kantar knew it would have to be flawless, he had seen first hand what happened to those who displeased the Dark Lord. In spite of the potential for disaster, Kantar still found it in him to smile; Vader had said alive, not unmolested. And he had seen the passenger manifest.
Leia cried out in shock as the stun bolt hit her in the back, sending her stumbling to the floor as she lost control of her body. Still conscious, she was aware of the menacing shapes of the Imperial troopers moving toward her down the corridor. Her greatest efforts to move did not result in the slightest twitch; the bolt had done its work on her nervous system.
"Inform Lord Vader we have a prisoner"
"Belay that order!" The troopers turned to see Kantar striding down the dim passageway towards them, the apparent source of the command. He stopped over the prone form sprawled on the metal deck.
"Well, it would appear that Princess Leia Organa has chosen to enjoy our Imperial hospitality."
This was greeted with subdued metallic laughter from the white armoured troopers gathered around the helpless figure. Leia had fallen on her side after the bolt had struck, and now lay prone in the centre of the dimly lit corridor. Her white robe lay draped around her immobile form, closely following the contours of her slim young body. One leg lay stretched out straight, while the other had risen towards her body as she had fallen, almost in a foetal position. The curve of her buttocks was tantalisingly apparent through the thin white cloth.
"Let's see what her highness has to offer, shall we?" Kantar stooped to pick up the princess' long barrelled laser pistol, and hooked the muzzle under the hem of the flowing white material. He pulled the robe upwards, revealing the girl's smooth white calves, their curves accentuated by the position of her legs, against the cold metal decking. His dick stirred into life as more of Leia's long, shapely legs were bared to the hungry gaze of the gathered Imperial troops. There was not a blemish to mar the smooth expanse of skin, now exposed almost to the waist. The Navy did not allow females to serve aboard its starships, and the last shore leave Kantar had had was almost six months ago at their last replenishment stop. He continued to move the robe upwards.
Lying paralyzed on the floor, Leia experienced a rising panic as she realised what the assembled Imperials had in store for her. For all her spirit and defiance, she had never had a man in her bedchamber, and was terrified of what she would be subjected to by the menacing troopers around her. Feeling the cold brush of the starship's processed air against her legs made her feel horribly vulnerable as she still struggled in vain against her involuntary paralysis.
With a small flourish, Kantar flicked the hem of the robe over Leia's waist, totally baring her curving hips to full view. There were growls of appreciation from the Stormtroopers as they saw the sheer white lace panties stretched taut over firm buttocks, with a hint of the darker hair of her pussy beneath the thin material. Kantar made an appreciative noise as he looked around for something to lay the princess on to raise her to a more accessible height. His gaze settled on an empty crate in one of the dark corners of the corridor.
"You two, bring that over here." The pair of stormtroopers he indicated quickly dragged the light metal crate over to the rest of the group. It was rectangular, about four feet long and three high, and it was placed on the deck beside the princess. On Kantar's instructions, her body was lifted
SCO Suspends Distribution of Linux Pending Intellectual Property Clarification;
Read it
here
You don't want to go there. Really.
Micros~1 can afford to buy Patrick Stewart's smiling face to promote their products. What difficulty do you imagine they would have procuring any bombshell celebrity to populate their booths? "Hey, babe, do you really want that grimy Linux stuff? Here, have a look at Microsoft's new Windows-XXXP..."
This is a form of escalation we can't possibly win. Really. Don't go there...
Schwab
Editor, A1-AAA AmeriCaptions
70% + 10% + 10% = 100%! Great going, Taco, you fucknut!
I mean, come on. Microsoft mentions words like "enterprise class computing" and "corporate datacenter" in their promotional materials. Corporate execs think that Microsoft knows their business. But when I see mistakes like this time and time again, I have a hard time believing that anyone at Microsoft has ever worked in "mission critical" production environment. At best, Microsoft is naive and stupid, at worst, negligent.
The society for a thought-free internet welcomes you.
vlad@geekizoid.com!