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Microsoft Wins Homeland Security Contract

syzme writes "According to The Register (as well as Reuters and News.com), 'The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has signed a deal for Microsoft software worth something in the region of $100 million, covering servers and over 140,000 desktops. This does not however mean that Microsoft and its hench-OEM Dell are poised to hoover up all of the Department's lovely IT budget, nor indeed that this is all new money for them; largely, it seems to be more a case of Microsoft holding onto business it's already got.'" This shouldn't be much of a surprise -- remember the Federal government is already Microsoft's biggest customer.

13 of 606 comments (clear)

  1. Somewhere... by Realistic_Dragon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Somewhere, in a deep dark cave, some terrorists are having a jolly good laugh.

    --
    Beep beep.
  2. Re:Obligatory jokes by buffer-overflowed · · Score: 5, Funny

    Okay, in light of this purchase, the department has been renamed to the Department of Homeland Insecurity.

    Hahaha. Oh I kill me, I do.

    --
    The key to the enjoyment of pop music is to replace any instance of "love" with "C.H.U.D."
  3. In other news by Diclophis · · Score: 5, Funny

    The Homeland Security Advisory System's current threat level has been elevated to 'blue' (Immanent threat of terrorism due to blue screen)

  4. Re:Obligatory jokes by pheared · · Score: 5, Funny

    Isn't that supposed to be: "Well, there goes the Network Neighborhood."

  5. Re:Obligatory jokes by VonSnaggle · · Score: 5, Funny

    Maybee theyre building a huge honeypot....

    --
    if common sense was common, wouldn't everyone have it?
  6. Welcome! by broller · · Score: 5, Funny

    I for one welcome our new technology overlords!

  7. Paperclip Jokes... by harvey_peterson · · Score: 5, Funny

    I see you are trying to bomb a country.

    Would you like help?
    -Get help with bombing the country
    -Just bomb the country without help

  8. Re:Obligatory jokes by revery · · Score: 5, Funny

    This is known as "Security through inaccessibility"

    --

    Was it the sheep climbing onto the altar, or the cattle lowing to be slain,
    or the Son of God hanging dead and bloodied on a cross that told me this was a world condemned, but loved and bought with blood.

  9. Re:Well... by KillerHamster · · Score: 5, Funny

    So much for Homeland "Security".


    Now now, let's not be so quick to criticize. Securing Microsoft systems is extremely simple:


    1. Shut down computer
    2. Unplug computer
    3. Lock computer in vault
    4. Place armed guards in front of vault
    5. Security!
  10. So... by superdan2k · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...will we be handing out EULAs to anyone that wants to have diplomatic ties with us?

    "...By installing this embassy, you absolve the United States Government of any responsibility for lost revenue, citizens, or infrastructure. Furthermore, you agree that you will not attempt to negatively influence the revenue, citizens, or infrastructure of the United States..."

    --
    blog |
  11. USCG Passed by TheConfusedOne · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hear the Coast Guard is trying to get an exemption from having to use Windows.

    Too many open ports. :-D

    --
    --- I wish I could hear the soundtrack to my life. That way I'd know when to duck.
  12. Switch by Anonymous+DWord · · Score: 5, Funny

    One night, I was like, writing a report on how Iraq was trying to buy yellowcake from Nigeria, when all of a sudden it went berserk, the screen started flashing, it was like BEEP BEEP BEEP and the whole paper just disappeared. All of it. And it was a good report! I had to cram and rewrite it really quickly. Needless to say, my rushed report wasn't nearly as good, and now Tony Blair is like, in danger of losing his job!

    --
    "If he thinks he can hide and run from the United States and our allies, he's sorely mistaken." Bush on bin Laden
  13. Re:Obligatory jokes by bobbuck · · Score: 5, Funny
    I can see the Onion headline:

    Terrorists applaud selection of Microsoft for Department of Homeland Security.

    Information Technology consultants for Al Qaeda were pleased with the the US government selection of Microsoft to supply the Dept. of Homeland Security with servers and over 140,000 desktops. Mohammed Al'Hacker beamed, "Microsoft systems allow for unmatched file sharing and remote access. We will save millions of dollars by simply being able access Homeland Security databases over the internet, rather than having to pay for bribes and expensive operatives. We are so pleased that the infidels chose 'open data' over 'open source.'" ....