Report From "Get The Facts"

Richard W.M. Jones writes "Huw Lynes wrote an interesting report from Microsoft's "Get The Facts" show in London (earlier Slashdot story). Along with the report he provides some analysis of their apparent strategy, which includes equating "Shared Source" with "Open Source" and making out that Linux isn't free."

Free Software

[Moblaster]

Microsoft believes in free software too. Ever use Internet Explorer and see how fast all the free software shows up on your computer?

Interesting context...

[sczimme]

making out that Linux isn't free

This is one of the few ways that Linux will ever be associated with "making out"...

"Linux training costs were 15% higher on average"

[Mobius_6]

"Linux training costs were 15% higher on average"

Well that's because training to fix windows is "just hit reset"

Re:Unfair comparisons... of course they're going t

[Anonymous Coward]

Don't you know the secretary is supposed to be the administrator of a Windows server? If you are hiring additional staff to maintain Windows servers, you are doing something wrong.

The MS strategy

[Anonymous Coward]

1.Claim that linux isn't free.
2.Pretend that Shared source is the same as Open Source
3.Make a big deal about the migration costs of moving to Linux
4.Use the forrester report to claim that Linux is insecure
5.Belittle the quality of the toolset available on Linux

Missing point:
6.PATENT EVERYTHING

I ahven't had such a good lauch in ages

[Anonymous Coward]

I haven't had such a good laugh in ages. I love MS BS. I'm reminded of a factious piece of software in Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently which allowed you to enter the conclusion you wanted and the starting point. It would then construct a logical set of arguments to justify going from one to the other and was used to justify the original Starwars project....

Re:It's a super bad analogy

[whereiswaldo]

Evidently you guys need more brainwashing. Repeat after me.

Monopoly! Monopoly! Monopoly!

Monopoly! Monopoly! Monopoly!

(now speak softer and get that crazy look in your eye)

Monopoly! Monopoly! Monopoly!

Monopoly! Monopoly! Monopoly!

Now you got it!

damn...

[Chuck Bucket]

making out that Linux isn't free

I dread getting that bill from Stallman then, I've been running Linux for five years now! I knew it was too good to be true.

CB

In other news

[Advocadus Diaboli]

• Boeing is telling you why Airbus Industries is bad
• Coca Cola is telling you why Pepsi is worse than Coke
• George W. Bush is telling you the facts about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq

Why shall I believe any of them?

Re:Free Software

[linuxci]

and then I convinced my wife to try and stop using Internet Explorer

One word - divorce ;)

Re:Free Software

[Blindman]

I can't believe I'm saying this but even Microsoft isn't that expensive.

Re:The total cost of being pathetic.

[flacco]

I just wish MS, and even some Linux zealots out there would get it through their heads: There are places to use MS Windows,

yeah, and that place is called 'HELL'!

Funny that..

[Chevenstein]

Funny that...I'm deploying Linux servers at a small company where Windows Server 2000 was the server platform of choice and so far we've saved money, headaches, and made better use of our hardware.

Funny that...

Re:Free Software

[Anonymous Coward]

But then, your kids read Slashdot and discover your secret :)