Dealing with Corporate FUD About Linux?

Lumpy asks: "After this morning's IT conference call, Linux was once again attacked here in the company by the upper management as 'a threat' to our company security. With articles, like the recent one from Information Week, fueling the Upper management with outdated information and half truths, how does an IT professional defend his position and educate upper managers to take those articles with a tiny grain of salt and trust their experts? Should we as professionals expect to be attacked for our decisions, even though Linux has prooven itself (time and time again), for over 5 years in our company? How do you deal with all of the baseless claims, that your superiors may read in the mainstream media?"

Comments

Also on the conference call

[Profane MuthaFucka]

These were the other topics on the conference call

-Reminder to keep up with the latest COBOL and FORTRAN standards. Sharpen those programming skills.
-A notice that the Data General minicomputer is going to have its batches put onto the new IBM System 36.
-A work crew is going to be on floor 3 pulling Arcnet cable through the walls. Since there's asbestos in the walls, it may be disturbed. Hint: a lint brush can take asbestos right off your suit if some should land on you.

One word...

[Ustice]

Powerpoint. Like it or not, if upper-management sees it in Powerpoint then it is the God's truth.

Fight fire with fire

[egarland]

Hold your ground and respectfully disagree. Then seek out reputable reports backing up your position. If you are right and you respectfully, calmly and clearly explain why to others you will almost always prevail.

Learn Management Speak

[couch_warrior]

When selling Linux to corporate america, you just CAN'T do it using geek speak.
Managers use the same english words, but when you are a manager, your goal is to confuse and misdirect. NEVER take what a manager says literally, or try to respond to it logically. Managers make decisions based purely upon gut feeling and emotional reaction, then rationalize the decisions with vaguely related reports and misapplied studies.

Here are some simple translations:
        Management Speak(M) to Engineerish(E)
1M) I'm concerned about linux security
1E)I dont understand linux and it makes me feel insecure
2M) I've heard that linux has security problems
2E) A rival vendor's sales rep in an expensive suit told me linux has security problems, I need someone in a more expensive suit to tell me he was wrong
3M) No one supports linux
3E) If a linux server crashes there is no linux sales rep to yell at and blame it on
4M) I need more data
4E) I want the information reduced to powerpoint slides and presented by someone with a nice butt in tight fitting clothes(gender varies)
5M) Lets discuss the issues involved
5E) I'm afraid to make a decision until the whole industry stampedes in that direction
6M) Is this the right business decision?
6E) Can I be fired for doing this?