Microsoft Buys OpenOffice.org

Micahel West writes "As reported on OpenOffice.org: 'For an undisclosed sum but reputed to be in the billions, Microsoft's Bill Gates has personally bought the leading open-source desktop project. Saying he "was sick and tired of open-source eating away at his profits," the world's richest man decided to put an end to the nuisance and simply buy OpenOffice.org. It will form part of a growing list of Microsoft acquisitions including several erstwhile competitors, a considerable number of prominent politicians, and a few small governments.'"

Comments

Finally!

[SuperDuG]

I'm so tired of all the bloat in Open Office, now someone will finally be able to optimize it and get rid of all those "open standard" hippie mumbo jumbo.

For those of you who think this is an April Fools Joke, please note, it's April 2nd somewhere in the world.

Full list of April fools joke's

[Urgo]

For the third year in a row, Urgo's list of April Fool's Jokes on Websites contains the most complete list of April Fool's Day pranks websites have created. Featured by news.com.com.com.. and Microsoft, the site strives to list EVERY joke site, and is updated every few minutes with new verified jokes.

Here is a sample, the twenty most popular ones:
mymsnsearch.com - fake (but hilariously accurate) search results
thinkgeek.com - USB Tanning Center, RFID Blocking T-shirt, Grow Your Own 1up Mushroom Kit, Caffeine Inhaler, and more
blog.outer-court.com - Google Rooms
gtachicago.com - gta chicago does not exist, (*hint check the whois info*)
tveps.net - Isaac 'Chef' Hayes not leaving southpark after all. Comes clean that it was a publicity stunt.
blizzard.com - BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT® PRESENTS BURGERCRAFT(TM)
iwantoneofthose.com - tiny device that downloads your brain's memory to a 2GB USB Flash Drive
bolloxcomics.co.uk - Myspace parody
wiebetech.com - 5 TB iPod
googlesystem.blogspot.com - Google Browser is finally launched. Installer 1.68MB
figuiere.net - int is_computer_on(void)
steampowered.com - VALVe purchased by Apple
slashdot.org - OMG!!! PONIES!!! (and pink layout)
ogrish.com - (NSFW) Bizarre Baby Born In Nepal
worldofwarcraft.com - Blizzard to put Wisps as a playable race for World of Warcraft.
gearlog.com - Laptop Lingerie: Bringing Tech & Pleasure Together
2600.com - 200600 google spoof
bungie.net - Bungie's next game, Pimps At Sea, progessing nicely for the Xbox360
forums.worldofwarcraft.com - World of Warcraft 1.11 patch notes leaked
theregister.co.uk - customise The Register to suit your needs - from blocking ads, to selecting the kind of stories you really want to read.

Re:the real April Fool's

[symbolic]

Keep laughing...just the other day I spoke with someone employed by a reasonbly-sized city, that, like many, are cash-strapped. Don't think they aren't looking for ways to reduce their costs. She seemed intrigued by the fact that you could download, install, and use an entire OS, not to mention software with a reasonably good feature set - for free.

Foxpro

[Anonymous Coward]

He did several times. One example is Foxpro, which despite being purchased by M$ is still an excellent database, so therefore it's relegated to being hidden in the attic.

I could understand MS chucking Access into the dumpster when the bought Foxpro, but have to admit that I don't understand the current situation. I cannot see the sense into pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into a failed product like Access when has owned Foxpro since before Access became common.