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Microsoft's Annual Report Reveals OSS Mistakes
mjasay writes "Microsoft's most recent annual report suggests that the company is increasingly coming to grips with open source, yet also seems determined to perpetuate myths about open source that poorly serve it and its shareholders. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has suggested before that 'free software means no free soda' for Microsoft employees; but this is perhaps the first time that Microsoft has managed to enshrine its ignorance in a public document. In the annual report, Microsoft makes two primary false claims about open source: 1) Open source companies don't invest in research and development and instead largely free-ride on Microsoft's patents and copyrights; and 2) Open source projects don't innovate and instead mimic Microsoft's products. Perhaps Microsoft has forgotten its own 'innovative' past copying of markets and technologies created by Apple and others. But at least Microsoft gets one thing right: 'To the extent open source software gains increasing market acceptance, our sales, revenue and operating margins may decline.'"
I don't see anything false about the two statements. 1) How can an opensource project fund any meaningful research, Sure they get donations to feed the guys in the basement with linux beards, but that's it. 2) Compiz made the multiple desktops, desktop cube thing, but did they make the minimize button? Maxamize,Windows, 2 button mouse, taskbar! Anyways when it comes down to it, MS, Apple and Linux all take things from eachother, but MS puts the most money into it obviously.
Extra Extra!
Slashdot spins Microsoft's spin! Zealous dorks incorrectly attribute and spread FUD about other zealous dorks! Film at 11!
"Perhaps Microsoft has forgotten its own 'innovative' past copying of markets and technologies created by Apple and others"
If they copied ideas from Apple how is open source community any different when it blatently copies Microsoft products?
Open office is a bad replica of Microsoft Office.
Sharp Develop is a bad replica of Visual Studio.
Firefox 3 search bar and navigation button interface is derived from that of IE.
Linux desktop are inharently trying to copy Windows day by day.
Open source companies do not have enough funding to invest in RnD and thats true. There IS RnD done in OS community but not as much as Google, Yahoo or Microsoft does.
Sometimes its just good to accept your short comings and try to improve yourself instead of continuely throwing mud at others for pointing them out.
I wish I had mod points right now. High Five to this poster that so accurately and clearly defines what is Microsoft. I also see that the ( What I believe to be ) paid Microsoft shills have modded him down.
This is probably expended at Microsoft, as R & D.
I have been watching this modding down of posts that do not show Microsoft in a favorable light for some time, and I do think it is far to thorough to be just an accident or a few M$ fanbois.
The above post is clear and accurate in it's description of Microsoft, also a little humorous. This is what the M$ Shills have been targeting here.
I hope some one from Slashdot management starts looking into this preversion of their moderating system.
Cheers
* Carthago Delenda Est *