How Microsoft Could Embrace Linux

securitas writes "In a commentary and analysis piece, BusinessWeek technology editor Alex Salkever discusses how Microsoft can embrace Linux, and asks the question, 'Considering Redmond's slim odds of conquering developing nations, why not offer them a low-cost Linux version of Office?' Salkever explains that 'Microsoft faces increasing competition in both PC operating systems and in desktop applications' which are its core businesses, while corporate customers would likely adopt Microsoft Linux products." (Read more below.)

"He goes on to cite the governments of Paris, Munich, Brazil, Peru, China, Korea, and Japan which are all embracing open source software to varying degrees. Meanwhile, when they choose Microsoft software, fast-growing emerging markets like China and India opt for pirated copies. Salkever explains that the concerns for customers like these are the 'relatively high price of Microsoft software' and the 'concerns about buying proprietary software to run critical government operations.' Finally he points to recent moves by Sun and IBM to leave the commoditized software and hardware business behind, writing 'When the world's largest and most respected IT consultancy draws a clear bead on your crown jewels, it's time to mount a bold counterattack.'"

Comments

boxed versions

[Anonymous Coward]

they could by linux boxes and hug them, that is the only way :)

every time

[__aahlyu4518]

Every year at least once an acticle appears about a rumour or someone proposing that MS should or will release an MS-Office 4 Linux. So far I haven't seen anything. It's just like waiting for Doom 3...

ehm

HEEEEELPPP

Re:Office for Linux? who'd use it?

[!the!bad!fish!]

why would any linux user use MS Office

There are some things that just don't work on other word processor. :-)

Re:Why?

[secondsun]

Because in 2000 Microsoft was broken up by the justice department into an Operating Systens unit and an applications unit.

Oh wait sorry, the yellow header sent me into my happy space where the world was fair and McCain was president.

Re:argh! my eyes

[Ralph Yarro]

Congrats on the new section, but the color scheme is killing my eyes.

Color scheme looks okay to me, nowhere near as bad as the Games ones but I'm wondering whether they really have enough Italian readers to justify a special 'it' section.

Re:If MS were not so proud...

[kawaichan]

Dude, where have you been for the past year?

Microsoft had released its own version of linux, called
MS Linux in November of 2003!!!!

Seems like nobody is using it though :(

Re:Office for Linux? who'd use it?

[Anonymous Coward]

Linux with MS Office would be like eating chocolate cake with mustard. Yuck. Phthewy. Bleh.

MS Linux

[Cronopios]

Oh, I thought Microsoft was already distributing MS Linux!

Do you mean that MS will not invade Cuba as stated there?

Re:New Office Version

[maxwell demon]

No problem:

bash# cd Office-3.5b/src
bash# ./configure --cd-key=0815-4711-MSFT-XY42-XXX0
Testing if the system is running a Microsoft approved kernel ... OK
Testing if the Microsoft Linux TCP extensions are activated ... OK
Testing if the Microsoft Registration Daemon is running ... OK
Testing if the Microsoft Registry Daemon is running ... OK
Testing if we are connected to the Internet ... OK
Checking the CD Key ... OK
Checking for acceptance of EULA ...

End User License Agreement (EULA)

[... MS legalese skipped ...]

To accept this EULA, please type in "I Accept": I Accept
Checking for acceptance of EULA ... OK
Checking version and key with Microsoft Registratrion Daemon ...
Please wait while connecting to Microsoft Registration Server ...
License accepted.
Checking version and key with Microsoft Registratrion Daemon ... OK
Creating makefile ... DONE
bash# make
./decrypt --keyserver keys.microsoft.com ../office
bash# make install
cp -a ../office /opt
regedit office.reg
bash#

Re:New Office Version

[Randall Hamilton]

Heh. Did you copy/paste that from Fedora's Install? :)

Astroturf

[germinatoras]

So, how do you like working for Microsoft? Do they still have free sodas in the lounge?

You made a pro-Microsoft post that got modded +5 on Slashdot of all places -- you'll probably get a big raise at your next performance review.

Re:Office for Linux? who'd use it?

[BrokenHalo]

[4]"Someday, we'll find Microsoft has patented the alphabet and we'll have to pay royalties every time we use our keyboards."

Sssshhh. Don't put ideas into their heads, you fool...