Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

South African Minister Locks Horns With Microsoft

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the speaking-truth-to-monoploy dept.

naheiw writes "The South African minister of public service and administration on Monday addressed the opening of the Idlelo 3 free software conference in Dakar, Senegal, saying that software patents posed a considerable threat to the growth of the African software sector (video). Microsoft responded aggressively, saying that 'there is no such thing as free software. Nobody develops software for charity.'"

11 of 325 comments (clear)

  1. freshmeat.net? sourceforge anybody? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    are they smoking micro-crack again?

  2. Nobody by Ricin · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Nobody develops software for charity"

    Hello, my name is Nobody. You know, the one that's prefect. Same dude.

    1. Re:Nobody by erroneus · · Score: 2, Funny

      ...just to add to what you've written:

      It's a BIG bubble, a THICK bubble, and it doesn't show signs of bursting just yet. I am, however, attempting to make Bill Gates's head explode with the powers of my mind... which also shows no sign of bursting.

    2. Re:Nobody by Darby · · Score: 4, Funny

      Hello, my name is Nobody. You know, the one that's prefect. Same dude.

      I thought that was Ford

  3. Just wait by SnoopJeDi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just you wait, those hooligans with their "Open Source" will start jacking up the price, and you'll be sorry then, but I won't help you then!

  4. You damned dirty liar! by hassanchop · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nobody develops software for charity.


    Quick, someone tell these people they don't exist!

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLPC_XO-1#Software

  5. Re:Equivocation by MightyMartian · · Score: 2, Funny

    How about "upyoursgatesandstallmanware"?

    --
    The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
  6. Yes but... by ElGanzoLoco · · Score: 4, Funny

    "South African Minister Locks Horns with Microsoft

    Yes but, were they long horns?

    --
    Hello! I'm a disaster waiting to happen!
  7. charity case by debatem1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    God must love idiots, because He made so many of them...

  8. Re:Technically true though by spun · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft, in spite if its using the word to death, is simply too large and complex to innovate. Ah, but you see, they've developed a program to help with that.

    "It looks like you are trying to innovate! Maybe I can help you
    A.) Wade through mountains of bureaucratic paperwork.
    B.) Convince your technically conservative superiors of the merits of your plans.
    C.) Steal someone else's idea and market it better.

    You've chosen to steal someone else's idea. Good choice!"

    Yes folks, it's Clippy's bigger brother, Hangy the wire coat hanger. He helps you abort innovation before it causes real problems AND put the new cover on your TPS reports!
    --
    - None can love freedom heartily, but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license. -- John Milton
  9. Re:Uh... by beav007 · · Score: 4, Funny

    with 2.5 cows on Tucows.
    2.5/2 sounds like a pretty good rating to me...