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Microsoft Won't Vouch For Linux
theodp writes "Gov. Christine Gregoire applauded Microsoft's job training partnership with WA state and county government agencies, which calls for the distribution of 30,625 training vouchers statewide during the next 90 days. 'This program [Elevate America] is all about equipping people with the new skills they'll need to get a job in the changing economy,' said Microsoft Counsel Brad Smith, who also made it very clear that getting 'workforce ready' won't involve acquiring any Linux skills. At least this offer appears to be no-cost, unlike the $35 Microsoft requested in an e-mail come-on for 'The Stimulus Package for Your Career' (so much for Smith's and Gregoire's war on spam)."
Get a FREE retake of a failed exam plus an E-Learning Collection for just $35 USD
Now how can it be a free retake if you have to pay 35 dollars to get it? Is this the same scam like "Free" Credit Report.com that actually requires you to buy a subscription to their site to get the "free" credit report?
The year of the Linux Desktop has come and gone without much notice .. it was 2008. The desktop will be windows/mac for the foreseeable future, unless something new and compelling takes the stage, which is very possible. Just look at the iPhone - Apple came out of nowhere to dominate the smartphone market in a 2 year timeframe. We may see a yet-unknown or underrated player do the same with the desktop. Microsoft has stumbled with Vista, leaving an opening.
First off, extra caution should be kept in mind in dealing with actions from a convicted monopolist.
That said, two aspects worry me:
-Government endorsement of the program. This is just so very peculiar and even outside of the monopolist context, kind of disturbing.
-I suspect they'll be able to write off expenses incurred in this as a donation. However, MS extracts a non-trivial amount of marketing leverage and as such, expenses should not be considered charitable in nature. As anyone who has undergone MCSE training, MS training programs are comprised of a significant amount of salesmanship.
XML is like violence. If it doesn't solve the problem, use more.
Apple trained me on not only their products but how to make them work in Unix and Windows environments to the point of explicit Active Directory and LDAP integration a couple of months ago despite having their own directory service called Open Directory (which is basically LDAPv3).
And they did it for FREE to boot
"Slashdot, where telling the truth is overrated but lying is insightful."
Yay! M$ doesn't need to vouch for Linux. Infact, I'm glad they don't. Our skills are highly valued, and people will keep on using Linux. Linux will keep on growing, but with the right kind of people. Not because of buzzwords. Or M$ approval. For every couple of M$ jobs that gets filled, more Linux jobs will open: And I'm expensive. :)