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U.S. Army Warns Microsoft To Back Off
declan writes "My CNET News colleague Ina Fried has written an interesting article today about how the U.S. Army has told Microsoft to stop sending free CD-ROMs of Office 2003 to government employees. In what's effectively a cease and desist order, the Army said: 'Your offer of free software places our employees and soldiers in jeopardy of unknowingly committing a violation of the ethics rules and regulations to which they have taken an oath to uphold.' Whoops! Perhaps this is Microsoft's latest way to fight free software at the Pentagon. Remember that just 8 months ago, the Army paid $471 million for Microsoft licenses."
but can they stop AOL cds as well? stemming that tide is well-nigh impossible.
turn up the jukebox and tell me a lie
Now we just need the Army to go after spammers, SCO, and the like.... and back it up with tanks! lots of tanks!
Office XP, Visual Studio
you sell? I would like a copy of all of them. You
know my address.
Thank you,
Anonymous Coward
...they had absolutely no interest in AOL's high-speed technology and were threatening unilateral action.
Army: Stop sending us your products. .
Microsoft: What if we don't?
Army: We'll make you
Microsoft: You and what army?
Army: . .
Microsoft: Oh.
I want the fire back.
I bet the Army pays about $3 for small arms fire targets. These are perfectly free and visibly shatter when shot. Rather than complain, the Army should request that they send more to make our fighting troops better shots!
Bill: apperantly we violated some rules regarding 'ethics'. You ever here of it?
Ballmer: I think there was something in a college course, but I'm not sure.
Bill: hmm, See if you can buy this ethics things, so we can get back to telling the government what to do.
The Kruger Dunning explains most post on
Quoting from the article:
"Government Entities: Microsoft intends that this product be used in accordance with applicable laws and regulations for the evaluation, use and benefit of your government agency only," Microsoft states in the note. "You may, at your discretion, return this product package to Microsoft at its expense."
Okay, sending back at Microsoft's expense is easy. Just send it via UPS SonicAir same-day service. Doing a quick quote, from Texas (for example) back to Redmond would cost at least $264.94. Also, be sure to send it in the evening so that nighttime charges apply, and from obscure locations so the extended mileage also figures into the cost. If you do it right, you could get it up into the thousands depending on location (overseas stations?) and time of day. If there aren't any commercial flights, you can have UPS charter a plane just for your CD. Oh, and send each CD back separately for maximum effect.
When you absolutely, positively, have to stick it to Microsoft.
Want to improve your Karma? Instead of "Post Anonymously", try the "Post Humously" option.
Unfortunately, due to the current conflicts our choice of couriers is limited, so we will have to return the CDs by loading them in pamphet-dispersion canisters and dropping them on your Redmond, WA offices.
Love,
The Army
Why the heck do they need to burn CD's in the cockpit? Shouldn't they be focusing on flying the damn plane?!
It looks like you're writing a slashdot post! Office assistance can help you write your post.
What kind of karma would you like?
1) Insightful
2) Overrated
3) Troll
Ehh you get the idea.
I am government man, come from the government. The government has sent me. -- G.I.R.
What more "essential" things can be added to a word processor?
Weapon Control
The president will be able use Outlook to send a Word Document with a macro to all missile silo's and subs. Upon receipt Outlook will open Word and execute the macro and launch the missiles. This system will be so much cheaper than and less personel intensive than the current system.
V14GR4 wi11 14UNCH y0ur b1g P3N15.
134340: I am not a number. I am a free planet!
" Shouldn't they be focusing on flying the damn plane?!"
Maybe they heard about Excel's easter egg.
"Derp de derp."
Planes fly themselves. Why waste a good opportunity to point a surveilance antenna at some sattelites or wireless hotspots for some in flight porn.
----
Go canucks, habs, and sens!
Except, this involves the US Army. So in this case, Clippy pops up and asks,
Incidently, the Air Force has plenty of tech-saavy people, often in the form of reservists.
It's true, they do. Here's one.
the guys with big toys that have the word "tactical" in the name...
Smooth move M$..
Doesn't emacs already do that?
I have a girlfriend whose name doesn't end in