This is precisely the tip of the iceberg that was talked about in the info I recieved from a Microsoft Employee... To Recap
M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
7.Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Microsoft is scared... hell they have a server there running Linux.... http://egg.microsoft.com
The interesting thing that I see is that in Office2000 they have a new "advanced" feature that makes the curser disapear if it is not moved for about ten seconds..... it's called unclutter.rpm(or T.gz) folks...we've had it for several years... So many of the things touted by the clueless idiots (reporters) in the media are things we have had for years. No one hears about them because up until this week, there has never been a concerted marketing effort by a Linux group.... That changes this week....wish us luck!:-)
Touch Screens are something we use a lot at my company...for POS applications...it is extremely fast under linux and of course reliable...a good source of info can be found at www.viewtouch.com Gene and CO. are good people....
Touch Screens are something we use a lot at my compnay...for POS applications...it is extremely fast under linux and of course reliable...a good source of info can be found at www.viewtouch.com Gene and CO. are good people....
While this is good news IMHO it's not earth shattering. In fact the article is a bit behind the times in that some of the usual FUD about no support for Linux etc. I don't know where or why journalists feel the need to write about that which they know nothing about. I guess repeating rumours is easier than investigation. Even a cursory investigation would have revealed that there are numurous avenues for commercial support....maybe I'm just tired and took it out of context...:-)
START MENUS??? sorry but a majority of the M$ "innovations" were ripped off of other OSs. For example...the Explorer.exe is a modifed version of a Norton Utility which is in return a rip from a Unix Tool..modified etc. but they certainly didn't innovate it.
Internet features???? So M$ invented the internet now... jees what next..??
All marketing blah blah again name an example of a M$ innovation....I havn't seen it yet. DirectX is a joke unto itself please....ever take a look at the DirectAPI drivers for SGI or Linux on the video cards?
Microsoft ASP...modified CGI with yet another proprietary application layer built in further proof that they want to make people use THEIR standards...not those already in existance...their arrogance is beyond belief...
A consistant easy to use interface it here. It's called either GNOME or KDE your CHOICE (stress CHOICE HERE) As a developer using the GTK Libs. and a former employee of Microsoft (via Volt Scientific as a developer) I can tell you the GTK/GDK libs are more flexible, robust and easier to program the kludging through the Win32 API. Your obviously not a developer.
"The support of tons of hardware manufacturers" Again this is the driver issue we're not talking drivers here. I will say this though. Linux runs on more hardware than NT does... so...(by the by the Win32 Plug-&-Play is done incorrectly, one should probe the pci/isa/etc card not the BIOS)
"a huge software library?" Good you have a question mark after it. There is more development software and more Libs to choose from under Linux than Windows HANDS DOWN!
"And I suspect you are gonna argue a lot of the claims with a windows emulator" You suspected wrong. While I admire the goals of the WINE project I think it is going in the wrong direction. Don't waste time validating Windows or it's applications. As for a Windows Emulator... Actually I have no need of one. MS-Office is a DOG compared to Star Office 5.0. It has more features, and is far more stable. (again site the GTE Study) My company made over 5 million last year designing Servers, Workstations and laptops with Linux pre-installed and fully supported (you don't get support from M$ when you buy a machine with Windoze installed) In many cases we replaced windows workstations with Linux running a GNOME desktop with our enhancements on it and tailored per client request. Good luck trying to get that from Microsoft... The GNOME interface coupled with a good/fast X-Win manager based on CORBA destroys the outdated COM & DCOM based (read modified OLE) structs of the M$ desktop....NEXT
M$ doesn't innovate anything....if you have doubts look at their "technologies" all are merely tweakes of exisiting technologies that are modified to be incompatable with other technologies.
Usablilty....hmm try opening an application fully maximized. Now open another application non-maximized and place it in front of the already open one. Now write to the maximized application while still being able to see the smaller one NOT placing it behind the maximized one.....can't do it huh... Win32 API doesn't allow for more subtle mouse focus/mouse lead pointers and hints.
Now try this...open your office suite, and a browser, and Photoshop and an editor or something.
I open Star Office, Netscape, the GIMP and Emacs and still am at 93% of resources available and I have 64 MB RAM on this machine.
Uptime is now over 143 days....and this is a development machine.
Don't even attempt that on M$. Interesting thing about the NT microkernel. They put the GDI in as part of the kernel but kept the more essential functions as subsidiary aspects..... What a nightmare....
Oh..show me how to administer a disk quota for a user under NT. (doens't have it)
Show me how to set up the Telnet Server on NT(doen't have it)
Under WinNT5.0 Beta 2 management console show me how to administer clusters (not recursions but actual PVM/MPI Clusters).... I can easily do that in LinuxConf (Linux management console)
Show me Under WinNT5.0 Beta 2 management console how to lock down the desktop so a Windows95/98 user can't go to DOS and type a DEL TREE function (can't do it)
Think this through. 1999 will be the year of Linux. Like it or not.
As I have said before, Mr. Ed Muth says (to paraphrase) "You need big teams, big capital to make good software"
Bill Gates Says (to paraphrase):" Some college kid could write an OS and put us out of business tomorrow"
SO Which is it?
"But to say MS is uncompetitive and is not innovating, etc. IS JUST WRONG. I praise linux users for their intelligence, but some have not thought this through far enough."
Sounds to me like Microsoft has some rethinking to do.
By the way... $800 for a basic or C++ compiler PLEASE! The GNU compiler under libc6 is a 1024 bit lib. M$ is still 16&32 good grief...Linux has been 64 bit on ALPHA since 1995. M$...Not yet....
"May the best company win!" What? Linux is NOT a company. That's what perplexes M$ so much I guess...
Again, I ask what was it that you could do on the Microsoft SINGLE-USER OS's (ala 95/98/NT) That you can't do on Linux......still don't know....
Cheers,
Nick LSG
PS: Typing fast please excuse spelling errors on my part...
Name those features. (Not the fact that their exclusive agreements gave them a head start on their drivers etc.) But a genuine feature? NT and win95 are still single user OSs and they want us to put that on our networks? HA!
Can we say a Kludge over DOS?
Please... I've studies that prove that Linux can increase productivity by 36% (GTE: 1998)
NEXT!
By the way... I really have a strong suspicion your a plant from M$ knowing how they operate. Or you just have never used Linux how it should be used. I get tired of the Microsofties who repeat the..."Usability, discoverable, intuitive, enterprise ready, etc." Merely buzz words with NO substance....
Here is the challenge...(with the exception of driver related issues) name one thing you can do on M$ platform that I can't do better on Linux? (I don't mean playing games either)
(before I begin we are doing a new website and the shell is there right now...sorry about that;-)) Let me reiterate... My goals with Linux may or may not be inline with many in the community. My history as many know was that I was a former Win32 Developer and used to work for Microsoft in terms of working contract for Volt Scientific. After losing a 6 month project on my home machine because Windows Self-destructed I vowed I would find an alternative or make one myself. Linux was right there with all the features I had ever wanted in an OS and the communtiy help out much when I was a hapless newby using my Slackware distrobution. I never forget a friends or friends. I worked my butt off to take this company where it is now but I don't want to do it without input from the community. Many eyes and minds see better than one.
I feel that Linux is the best thing going for many platforms and many companies can benefit from it. Being a former USMC Captain and being stubborn as I am I went pounding doors to companies to find either A) They had no clue what I was talking about or B) They had succumbed to the MS FUD because it was easier than finding the truth.
This can go one of two ways... Linux can stay a fringe OS with numbers around 7-10 Million or with proper exposure (proper meaning positive) it can leap to the stratusphere and take a life of it's own. Microsoft is so trapped in the morass of kludge they have built that I dare say that Windows-2000 will be accepted as a godsend the first month it is out (because of the strong "consumer" feedback (read M$ marketing arm) and the press ala ZD-Net et. al ) that essentially rides in M$'s back pocket.
All I am looking for is the ideas of the community from whence it is derived to develop a marketing ideas and constructs to allow for the proliferation of Linux without the M$ FUD carrying on in the media. People like the Mr. Muths of the world or the Jesse Bersts (stick finger in the wind and see which way the gust comes from) style of journalism. I have a problem with the hit & run style of journalism currently practice by many so -called experts in the media. If the media can know that it has a steady group to call on for the real scoop they may be more inclined to do so. We must as well actively go out and GET publicity in a positive manner. (I do probably 7 public speaking engagements a month)
The price of freedom is eternal vigilace.
Cheers,
Nick LSG
Sorry for any spelling errors but I have to type fast as my wife will kill me if I don't get off this computer right no...
OK guys. As the COO of the fastest growing technology form in Western New York, let me clue you in to the corporate mindset.
Linux needs to develop relationships with the media, have an organized marketing structure (to keep M$ on their toes, and in a reactionary stance as opposed to a proactive one) as it stands right the Linux community is forced to be reactionary because they are merely RECEIVING press...not going out and GETTING press like Microsoft is. Remember, reality is that which is perceived and a majority of consumers get their impressions of Linux from places like PC-Magazine, ZD-NET etc. Where the journalists are as a majority absolutely clueless and have never touched Linux in their lives but know they have a deadline to meet or they lose their jobs. Linux is the perfect fallguy because there is no organized marketing efforts right now. Nothing that is rated as a corporate level initiative that is... To recap one more time... How does M$ plan to derail Linux:
M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Does Microsoft have a Monopoly...I think so but I'm not an attorney. I do belive that they are a desperate company that talks out of both sides of their collective mouth. Mr Ed Muth, an official Microsoft Marketing Spokesman says that "Big budgets and big capital are needed" to write quality software.
His boss, Billy Gates says "Our hold on the OS market is tenous....there could be a college kid who is out there right now who is writing an operating system that could take it all way from us..."
So which is it?
I'm no Bill Gates but I am however a guy who's company has a bigger advertising budget for this year than I think anyone has ever spent on Linux in an organized fashion... roughly $300-500K TV, Radio, Billboards, Speeches, Tradeshows, etc. Instead of griping about M$ get proactive and do something about it.
I'm open to ideas on an organized marketing effort on behalf of Linux and am willing to back it up with resources and money.
Interesting that a majority of the people here who posted inflammatory comments were AC's.
How much do you guys want to bet many are M$ people who post them just to raise ire.
My advice, don't be so easily manipulated. Keep above the fray and keep positive. If you need to, refer to my previous post on how M$ plans to take on Open Source[r] this year.
Stay Positive, we have them on the run. Keep responsive not reactionary etc. etc.
Now let's stop worrying about who changed what site. It looks fine and at least they don't need MS_Front_Page_(fill-in-ridiculas-bloatware-version ) to make their web site. It is their site, it looks fine and they can do whatever they want to it. Slashdot is not representative of the Linux comminity as a whole, but it is watched by many so please act maturely. I told you guys, read the 7 ways M$ will try to bring down Open Source: To Recap: M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
7.Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Take a little bit of advice from a guy who is both a part of the Linux community as a developer and who runs a company. We can have a great year and kick but in making Linux dominant but don't fall prey to the traps set by the little arrogant egos at Microsoft. We must keep the pressure on being the guerrilla warriors that attack when least expected and garner the popular public opinion. The ZD-Nets of the world are for the consumer who knows nothing. Many of my collegues could be in that catagory as well. They know how to run a company but are clueless about technology.
M$ spreads FUD because they ARE scared!. As the 35th Soshi (Grandmaster) of a Japanese martial art called Ninpo-Taijutsu wrote..."If you were not scared, there would be no need of such defensive reaction." He elaborates on this by saying "Reaction is when your environment is in control of you...dictating your actions.." "Response is when You are in control of you...forcing the adversary to react.." -- Shoto Tanemura (Tanemura Shoto [jp])
Slashdot Mirror
This is precisely the tip of the iceberg that was talked about in the info I recieved from a Microsoft Employee...
:-)
To Recap
M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
7.Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Microsoft is scared... hell they have a server there running Linux....
http://egg.microsoft.com
The interesting thing that I see is that in Office2000 they have a new "advanced" feature that makes the curser disapear if it is not moved for about ten seconds..... it's called unclutter.rpm(or T.gz) folks...we've had it for several years... So many of the things touted by the clueless idiots (reporters) in the media are things we have had for years. No one hears about them because up until this week, there has never been a concerted marketing effort by a Linux group.... That changes this week....wish us luck!
Nick
LSG
_____________________________________
Not that it will matter much because the Open Source Community can code around Microsoft anyday...but trust me...they will try..
They did it before...
Cheers,
Nick
LSG
Touch Screens are something we use a lot at my company...for POS applications...it is extremely fast under linux and of course reliable...a good source of info can be found at www.viewtouch.com
Gene and CO. are good people....
Good Luck,
Nick
LSG
Touch Screens are something we use a lot at my compnay...for POS applications...it is extremely fast under linux and of course reliable...a good source of info can be found at www.viewtouch.com
Gene and CO. are good people....
Good Luck,
Nick
LSG
While this is good news IMHO it's not earth shattering. In fact the article is a bit behind the times in that some of the usual FUD about no support for Linux etc. I don't know where or why journalists feel the need to write about that which they know nothing about. I guess repeating rumours is easier than investigation. Even a cursory investigation would have revealed that there are numurous avenues for commercial support....maybe I'm just tired and took it out of context... :-)
Cheers,
Nick
LSG
START MENUS??? sorry but a majority of the M$ "innovations" were ripped off of other OSs.
For example...the Explorer.exe is a modifed version of a Norton Utility which is in return a rip from a Unix Tool..modified etc. but they certainly didn't innovate it.
Internet features???? So M$ invented the internet now... jees what next..??
All marketing blah blah again name an example of a M$ innovation....I havn't seen it yet. DirectX is a joke unto itself please....ever take a look at the DirectAPI drivers for SGI or Linux on the video cards?
Microsoft ASP...modified CGI with yet another proprietary application layer built in further proof that they want to make people use THEIR standards...not those already in existance...their arrogance is beyond belief...
A consistant easy to use interface it here. It's called either GNOME or KDE your CHOICE (stress CHOICE HERE) As a developer using the GTK Libs. and a former employee of Microsoft (via Volt Scientific as a developer) I can tell you the GTK/GDK libs are more flexible, robust and easier to program the kludging through the Win32 API.
:" Some college kid could write an OS and put us out of business tomorrow"
Your obviously not a developer.
"The support of tons of hardware manufacturers"
Again this is the driver issue we're not talking drivers here. I will say this though. Linux runs on more hardware than NT does... so...(by the by the Win32 Plug-&-Play is done incorrectly, one should probe the pci/isa/etc card not the BIOS)
"a huge software library?" Good you have a question mark after it. There is more development software and more Libs to choose from under Linux than Windows HANDS DOWN!
"And I suspect you are gonna argue a lot of the claims with a windows emulator"
You suspected wrong. While I admire the goals of the WINE project I think it is going in the wrong direction. Don't waste time validating Windows or it's applications. As for a Windows Emulator...
Actually I have no need of one. MS-Office is a DOG compared to Star Office 5.0. It has more features, and is far more stable. (again site the GTE Study)
My company made over 5 million last year designing Servers, Workstations and laptops with Linux pre-installed and fully supported (you don't get support from M$ when you buy a machine with Windoze installed) In many cases we replaced windows workstations with Linux running a GNOME desktop with our enhancements on it and tailored per client request. Good luck trying to get that from Microsoft...
The GNOME interface coupled with a good/fast X-Win manager based on CORBA destroys the outdated COM & DCOM based (read modified OLE) structs of the M$ desktop....NEXT
M$ doesn't innovate anything....if you have doubts look at their "technologies" all are merely tweakes of exisiting technologies that are modified to be incompatable with other technologies.
Usablilty....hmm try opening an application fully maximized. Now open another application non-maximized and place it in front of the already open one. Now write to the maximized application while still being able to see the smaller one NOT placing it behind the maximized one.....can't do it huh... Win32 API doesn't allow for more subtle mouse focus/mouse lead pointers and hints.
Now try this...open your office suite, and a browser, and Photoshop and an editor or something.
I open Star Office, Netscape, the GIMP and Emacs and still am at 93% of resources available and I have 64 MB RAM on this machine.
Uptime is now over 143 days....and this is a development machine.
Don't even attempt that on M$. Interesting thing about the NT microkernel. They put the GDI in as part of the kernel but kept the more essential functions as subsidiary aspects..... What a nightmare....
Oh..show me how to administer a disk quota for a user under NT. (doens't have it)
Show me how to set up the Telnet Server on NT(doen't have it)
Under WinNT5.0 Beta 2 management console show me how to administer clusters (not recursions but actual PVM/MPI Clusters).... I can easily do that in LinuxConf (Linux management console)
Show me Under WinNT5.0 Beta 2 management console how to lock down the desktop so a Windows95/98 user can't go to DOS and type a DEL TREE function
(can't do it)
Think this through. 1999 will be the year of Linux. Like it or not.
As I have said before, Mr. Ed Muth says (to paraphrase) "You need big teams, big capital to make good software"
Bill Gates Says (to paraphrase)
SO Which is it?
"But to say MS is uncompetitive and is not innovating, etc. IS JUST WRONG. I praise linux users for their intelligence, but some have not thought this through far enough."
Sounds to me like Microsoft has some rethinking to do.
By the way...
$800 for a basic or C++ compiler PLEASE!
The GNU compiler under libc6 is a 1024 bit lib. M$ is still 16&32 good grief...Linux has been 64 bit on ALPHA since 1995. M$...Not yet....
"May the best company win!"
What? Linux is NOT a company. That's what perplexes M$ so much I guess...
Again, I ask what was it that you could do on the Microsoft SINGLE-USER OS's (ala 95/98/NT) That you can't do on Linux......still don't know....
Cheers,
Nick
LSG
PS: Typing fast please excuse spelling errors on my part...
Name those features. (Not the fact that their exclusive agreements gave them a head start on their drivers etc.) But a genuine feature?
..."Usability, discoverable, intuitive, enterprise ready, etc." Merely buzz words with NO substance....
NT and win95 are still single user OSs and they want us to put that on our networks? HA!
Can we say a Kludge over DOS?
Please... I've studies that prove that Linux can increase productivity by 36% (GTE: 1998)
NEXT!
By the way... I really have a strong suspicion your a plant from M$ knowing how they operate.
Or you just have never used Linux how it should be used. I get tired of the Microsofties who repeat the
Here is the challenge...(with the exception of driver related issues) name one thing you can do on M$ platform that I can't do better on Linux?
(I don't mean playing games either)
Cheers,
Nick
LSG
(before I begin we are doing a new website and the shell is there right now...sorry about that ;-))
Let me reiterate...
My goals with Linux may or may not be inline with many in the community. My history as many know was that I was a former Win32 Developer and used to work for Microsoft in terms of working contract for Volt Scientific. After losing a 6 month project on my home machine because Windows Self-destructed I vowed I would find an alternative or make one myself. Linux was right there with all the features I had ever wanted in an OS and the communtiy help out much when I was a hapless newby using my Slackware distrobution. I never forget a friends or friends. I worked my butt off to take this company where it is now but I don't want to do it without input from the community. Many eyes and minds see better than one.
I feel that Linux is the best thing going for many platforms and many companies can benefit from it.
Being a former USMC Captain and being stubborn as I am I went pounding doors to companies to find either A) They had no clue what I was talking about or B) They had succumbed to the MS FUD because it was easier than finding the truth.
This can go one of two ways... Linux can stay a fringe OS with numbers around 7-10 Million or with proper exposure (proper meaning positive) it can leap to the stratusphere and take a life of it's own. Microsoft is so trapped in the morass of kludge they have built that I dare say that Windows-2000 will be accepted as a godsend the first month it is out (because of the strong "consumer" feedback (read M$ marketing arm) and the press ala ZD-Net et. al ) that essentially rides in M$'s back pocket.
All I am looking for is the ideas of the community from whence it is derived to develop a marketing ideas and constructs to allow for the proliferation of Linux without the M$ FUD carrying on in the media. People like the Mr. Muths of the world or the Jesse Bersts (stick finger in the wind and see which way the gust comes from) style of journalism. I have a problem with the hit & run style of journalism currently practice by many so -called experts in the media. If the media can know that it has a steady group to call on for the real scoop they may be more inclined to do so.
We must as well actively go out and GET publicity in a positive manner. (I do probably 7 public speaking engagements a month)
The price of freedom is eternal vigilace.
Cheers,
Nick
LSG
Sorry for any spelling errors but I have to type fast as my wife will kill me if I don't get off this computer right no...
OK guys. As the COO of the fastest growing technology form in Western New York, let me clue you in to the corporate mindset.
... roughly $300-500K
Linux needs to develop relationships with the media, have an organized marketing structure (to keep M$ on their toes, and in a reactionary stance as opposed to a proactive one) as it stands right the Linux community is forced to be reactionary because they are merely RECEIVING press...not going out and GETTING press like Microsoft is.
Remember, reality is that which is perceived and a majority of consumers get their impressions of Linux from places like PC-Magazine, ZD-NET etc. Where the journalists are as a majority absolutely clueless and have never touched Linux in their lives but know they have a deadline to meet or they lose their jobs. Linux is the perfect fallguy because there is no organized marketing efforts right now. Nothing that is rated as a corporate level initiative that is...
To recap one more time...
How does M$ plan to derail Linux:
M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Does Microsoft have a Monopoly...I think so but I'm not an attorney. I do belive that they are a desperate company that talks out of both sides of their collective mouth. Mr Ed Muth, an official Microsoft Marketing Spokesman says that "Big budgets and big capital are needed" to write quality software.
His boss, Billy Gates says "Our hold on the OS market is tenous....there could be a college kid who is out there right now who is writing an operating system that could take it all way from us..."
So which is it?
I'm no Bill Gates but I am however a guy who's company has a bigger advertising budget for this year than I think anyone has ever spent on Linux in an organized fashion
TV, Radio, Billboards, Speeches, Tradeshows, etc.
Instead of griping about M$ get proactive and do something about it.
I'm open to ideas on an organized marketing effort on behalf of Linux and am willing to back it up with resources and money.
Cheers and happy coding,
Nick
nick@linuxsystemsgroup.com
Interesting that a majority of the people here who posted inflammatory comments were AC's.
How much do you guys want to bet many are M$ people who post them just to raise ire.
My advice, don't be so easily manipulated.
Keep above the fray and keep positive.
If you need to, refer to my previous post on
how M$ plans to take on Open Source[r] this year.
Stay Positive, we have them on the run. Keep responsive not reactionary etc. etc.
Cheers,
Nick
Now let's stop worrying about who changed what site. It looks fine and at least they don't need MS_Front_Page_(fill-in-ridiculas-bloatware-version ) to make their web site. It is their site, it looks fine and they can do whatever they want to it.
Slashdot is not representative of the Linux comminity as a whole, but it is watched by many so please act maturely. I told you guys, read the 7 ways M$ will try to bring down Open Source:
To Recap:
M$'s strategies are going to be close to the following. (from a source inside of M$)
1.The closer to the Win2000 release the more FUD we should spread about open source.
2.Spread FUD about how it is unstable, hard to use and is not in use in large numbers in corporate America.
3.Spread the perception of ease-of use of Windows
4.Infiltrate the newsgroups (SlashDot et. al) with inflammatory comments making more rift in the Linux camps and then spread more FUD on fragmented the so-called "Linux-Community" is.
5.More than embrace & extend, we go after the companies that are known to use or embrace Linux and offer them large incentives to switch to Windows.
6.Use the news sources and media outlets at our disposal to conduct mock tests against Linux and other competing operating systems, first by making windows lose to the competing OSs then after the debut of Windows-2000 conduct tests by "Independent Media Outlets" to let the world know how much our product has improved and outdone the competition. This "Impartial Validation" methods wins consumers over.
7.Increase marketing pressures on current media partners and increase our financial stake in those companies.
Take a little bit of advice from a guy who is both a part of the Linux community as a developer and who runs a company. We can have a great year and kick but in making Linux dominant but don't fall prey to the traps set by the little arrogant egos at Microsoft. We must keep the pressure on being the guerrilla warriors that attack when least expected and garner the popular public opinion.
The ZD-Nets of the world are for the consumer who knows nothing. Many of my collegues could be in that catagory as well. They know how to run a company but are clueless about technology.
M$ spreads FUD because they ARE scared!. As the 35th Soshi (Grandmaster) of a Japanese martial art called Ninpo-Taijutsu wrote..."If you were not scared, there would be no need of such defensive reaction." He elaborates on this by saying "Reaction is when your environment is in control of you...dictating your actions.." "Response is when You are in control of you...forcing the adversary to react.."
-- Shoto Tanemura (Tanemura Shoto [jp])
Something to think about in the New Year...
Cheers,
Nicholas Donovan
Linux Systems Group