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Microsoft Proclaims Death of Free Software Model

geoff313 writes " As previously mentioned here, Microsoft's new wave of FUD has begun to arrive. This time it is courtesy of Bradley Tipp, Microsoft's UK national systems engineer, who spoke at the Microsoft IT Forum in Copenhagen. In this article from ZDNet UK, he is quoted as saying that 'Linux is great' and 'there are a lot of things we should learn from open source' but then is quick to point out that 'We haven't talked to a single user who has said they're using [open source] because it's better.' Another Microsoft employee was quoted as saying 'At least if Linux takes off, their viruses will propagate and we won't be seen as the bad guys any more.' I for one am happy to see that they are taking their new interest in security seriously, and I'm sure you all are too. Most interesting is the assertion that the decision by Red Hat to end support for its free distribution and Novell's aquisition of SUSE marks not only the death of free software, but actually is a validation of Microsoft's business model. Does anyone besides Microsoft see these events as the end of Free software?" I use Free software because it's better; they just didn't ask.

7 of 750 comments (clear)

  1. crown jewels by happyfrogcow · · Score: 0, Troll

    But Microsoft remains adamant that commercial reasons prevent it from simply putting the source code -- its "crown jewels" -- in the public domain.

    If their source is their crown jewels, i'd hate to see what they consider their family jewels.

  2. Your time will come. by whittrash · · Score: 0, Troll

    For all things there is a beginning and an end. This is a basic fact of life. Linux will die. It is only a matter of time. As a matter of fact all things will all die, people, animals, the stars. Not even Dick Clark will be perfectly preserved. Life is futile! I think I am going to go out and kill myself right now, just to speed things up!

    Forever is a long time.

  3. Re:Bull. by Hatta · · Score: 1, Troll

    If you want games, get a playstation. If you want a stable, sensible computing platform, use linux.

    P.S. Insulting the intelligence of your users is not "User Friendly"

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  4. Is this like BSD "dying"? by Blue+Neon+Head · · Score: 0, Troll

    (insert BSD is dying troll here)

  5. Re:* is dying trolls by JamieF · · Score: 0, Troll

    First they ignore you.
    Then you're dying.
    Then you're beleaguered.
    Then you stay beleaguered.

  6. Re:Better at what? by IdleTime · · Score: 0, Troll

    Really?

    Where can I get the source code to all the components in panther? Can you please post a link to the sources? And one that includes the source of ALL programs on panther, not just the BSD stuff?

    Oh and MS, I have used Linux on the desktop since 1995 because it is better than anything you have ever dreamed up. And I'm much more productive using Linux than I would have been using Windows. Oh yes I have a second PC here at work. It has a Windows partition, but I can't remember last time I booted into it.

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  7. Free Tickets to SCALE by MrMorph · · Score: 1, Troll

    Southern California Linux Expo on November 22nd at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California. Other exhibitors include Real Networks, Novell, and Pogo Linux. Some of the speakers include Seth Nickell, Chris Dibona, Patrick Mochel and John Terpstra. Full and student tickets are still available for this event as well as free exhibition only passes using the FREE promotional code.