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Microsoft to Give Away Software

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tinstaafl dept.

dptalia writes "In an attempt to suck up to the European Union, Microsoft has announced that it will give away software allowing multiple operating systems to run simultaneously. Microsoft says this is part of their strategy to make more software available through OSS." From the article: "Georg Greve, president of the Free Software Foundation Europe, said he had not seen the details of Microsoft's giveaway but cautioned against assuming it was motivated only by pragmatism or a new spirit of cooperation. 'If Microsoft were doing this for altruistic reasons, it would be a first,' Greve said. 'I think they are probably trying to get more machines on the Windows platform, and they may also be trying to improve relations in Brussels.'"

9 of 197 comments (clear)

  1. Maybe it will be rigged by 192939495969798999 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Maybe it will be rigged to make the other OS run more crappy than windows, so that Windows looks like the better os... then again, how would you possibly do that! /ducks

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    1. Re:Maybe it will be rigged by hcob$ · · Score: 2, Funny
      Maybe it will be rigged to make the other OS run more crappy than windows, so that Windows looks like the better os... then again, how would you possibly do that!
      Easy, make the "alternative OS" crash ever 5 minutes... instead of 10 :)
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      Cliff Claven
      K.E.G. Party Chairman
      Founding Leader of: Koncerned for Egalitarin Governance
    2. Re:Maybe it will be rigged by 192939495969798999 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Someone is taking things kinda hard... a 'troll' mod for a Windows joke on Slashdot?

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    3. Re:Maybe it will be rigged by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      Easy, make the "alternative OS" crash ever 5 minutes... instead of 10 :)
      Which Windows are you refering to, 95 or ME? ...I suppose those are about as useful on a desktop platform as Linux *ducks*
    4. Re:Maybe it will be rigged by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      It's a big internet, there is room for everybody.


      No it's not and no there isn't. Don't you get it - tubes are limited in space, as opposed to dump trucks. If only the internet were a series of dump trucks.
  2. Awww. by Funkcikle · · Score: 2, Funny

    Poor old Microsoft. Like information, they just want to be free!

    And they would have been able to be so if it weren't for those meddling European kids...

    "Old Man Gates! It was you all along!"

  3. Hey, cool! by benplaut · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now I can run XP and Vista at the same time, thanks Microsoft!

  4. So it's OK ... by Original+Replica · · Score: 2, Funny

    ... to give away software, just don't let them make cheap shoes.

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    We are all just people.
  5. Gentlemen start your copiers by klubar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe it will have a built in virus that will infect other operating systems. Damn.... Apple already did this.