Israel v. Microsoft, Next Round

hodet writes "From Haaretz.com, in predictable fashion, looks like a little tough bargaining with Microsoft is all that is needed to get your way. As many predicted after this story, looks like all you have to do is threaten to move to an OSS alternative to make them relent. Maybe it's time to stop getting excited about every little announcement that comes out." The upshot of the story is that Microsoft is willing to split the components of Office in order to sell it to the Israeli government's Finance Ministry. Reader blunte, though, links to a story that discounts the importance of MS's move: "Israel re-iterates: No More MS Software. This is round two. MS has made an effort to reconcile with Israel, and Israel still says No. Israel govt's purchases account for 3-4% of MS Israel's annual revenue."

Comments

Ph34r

[Tirinal]

I always wondered what would happen when a government able to fall back on religion in an argument and Microsoft lawyer doublespeak would clash in an epic battle of obstinance.

downturn for M$?

[SHEENmaster]

First they hit their first flat quarter, and then Israel tells them to fuck off. Next thing you know, some fat pervert in a butterfly suit will be without a job.

Re:downturn for M$?

[Anonymous Coward]

I personally believe that was more of a zionistic culturally defining tale than anything else.

Erm... yes... but what did you think the rest of the Bible was?

Split the components of Office?

[Anonymous Coward]

On the box they used to be shaped like jigsaw puzzle pieces, it can't be hard to separate them.

Re:Split the components of Office?

[Haeleth]

Microsoft dumps a vat of tar to keep their's together.

No, Microsoft would never use tar. They use a proprietary file format called CAB.

Correct Version.

[DAldredge]

.. .. ..
Microsoft: *funds suicide bombers*
Isreal: "We have NO idea how Mr. Gates and Mr Balmer ended up dead. Next question."

Re:Correct Version.

[Anonymous Coward]

or because Israel has shown no hesitation in ignoring their own borders when it comes to arresting someone.

This must mean...

[teamhasnoi]

they just got CD-R burners over there! Welcome to piracy, Israel!

Re:Hmmm..

[jmv]

Microsoft: *funds suicide bombers*
Israel: *nukes Redmond*

Re:Will they understand now?

[js7a]

Microsoft, you need to make cheaper software.

They're obviously listening. As Mekkab said, "Use the promotional code 'LINUX; and get thousands off your Microsoft installation costs!"

Quoth the article:

Microsoft, [the Israeli Finance Ministry] said, "has recently broken its policy of unified pricing of products worldwide. In Thailand and England there were reductions of hundreds of percent" on products that it sells.

Now that's the kind of discount I'd sure like to see more of!

Re:Something dangerous to say on /.

[Blue Eagle 26]

Hi Steve! I havent seen you on slashdot in a while! With all these countrys switching to open source, I bet that private jet is coming in handy!

Re:According to the article...

[optikSmoke]

...this is probably standard practice for large Microsoft contracts.

Indeed, and it goes like this:

MS: So, we're going to sell you our lock-in software at inflated prices because you obviously have no other alternative; then be prepared for a mandatory accelerating upgrade cycle combined with price hikes.

Customer: So.... we were thinking maybe of using open-source softw-

MS: We can do software individually wrapped with gold foil and a complementary kiss on the ass.

Customer: SOLD!

A new problem in the roadmap for peace

[Anonymous Coward]

George Bush sends an email:
Attached is a MS Word document stating the new proposed roadmap for peace

Ariel Sharon Replies:
NO WORD DOCUMENTS!
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/no-word- attachments. html

Do you think that...

[Sideshow Coward]

Microsoft will retalliate by re-inserting swastikas back into their Bookshelf Symbol 7 font

When Mr. Gates go home

[superpulpsicle]

c:> dir
Friends_with_Israel.DOC
Deal_with_Devil.DOC
Dinner_with_Saddam.DOC
Kiss_Dubya_ass_less_tax.D OC

c:> delete FRIENDS_WITH_ISRAEL.DOC

Re:I wonder if...

[commodoresloat]

What were Israel's specific complaints against MS?

Israeli policy is never to negotiate with terrorists.

Re:A good deal

[Anonymous Coward]

They probably meant hundredths.

Some things in life money cant buy...

[aardwolf204]

OpenOffice.org: $0

Some things in life money cant buy, for everything else there's:

Outlook 2003:....$109.99
Word 2003:.......$229.99
Excel 2003:......$229.99
PowerPoint 2003:.$229.99
Access 2003:.....$229.99
Publisher 2003:..$169.99
Frontpage 2003:..$199.99
Project 2003:....$599.99
Total: $1999.92

Re:That's only insightful if...

[johannesg]

...I think you jumped the gun a bit to early...

Just out of curiosity, is it possible to jump the gun too late?

Re:Jeepers! (b0rk3d serv3r)

[The_Fire_Horse]

Dear Sir,
I have read your post with great interest and I am interested in your views.

Please subscribe me to your newsletter, as I feel you have a lot to contribute to society.

Thanks in advance,
The Fire Horse

I wonder how far will MS go

[danila]

From the article:
Microsoft, it said, "has recently broken its policy of unified pricing of products worldwide. In Thailand and England there were reductions of hundreds of percent" on products that it sells.
I want a two hundred percent reduction in price too!