Third time is the charm?

Posted Mar 2, 2009 23:20 UTC (Mon) by qg6te2 (guest, #52587)
Parent article: Third time is the charm?

Parts of Microsoft (especially those represented by Mr. Ramji) have been making friendly noises toward open source for some time. But actions speak louder than friendly noises, and this particular action speaks loudly indeed. Parts of Microsoft are almost certainly sincere about wanting to get along with the Linux community, but the stronger forces within the company, it seems, are not.

While I almost always enjoy articles written by our great editor, this is a rare instance where the case is otherwise. The above-quoted diplomacy tries to paint Microsoft as a "half-friendly" company, which it never was and almost certainly never will be. The "stronger forces" are the people that matter within Microsoft: the upper management, where all the decisions and final steering is made.

It is entirely possible that certain parts of Microsoft are cozing up with the Open Source community simply to soften Microsoft's overall image. However, this is nothing more than a marketing exercise -- it's the final actions of Microsfot that matter. A tiger never loses its stripes: Microsoft is an extremely aggressive beast which will do anything to maintain and extend its market share, including copping big fines and actions which cross the boundary of legality.

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If we're going to pick nits ...

Posted Mar 3, 2009 1:44 UTC (Tue) by felixfix (subscriber, #242) [Link] (1 responses)

Nowhere does our editor say "half-friendly"; that is your paraphrasing of our editor's "part of the company".

He also makes it quite clear that the stronger parts are not friendly, and you add nothing to the discussion when you repeat that as if he had not said any such thing.

Our editor is famous for his choice of words, and they work quite nicely here.

Choice of words

Posted Mar 3, 2009 12:28 UTC (Tue) by man_ls (guest, #15091) [Link]

Like qg6te2, our editor might have said "Microsoft isn't fooling anyone", "Open source friendliness is a pose", "Acts speak louder than words" and the like; but there was no need for those stronger statements.

As it stands our editor's words clearly state that those friendly parts of Microsoft are probably sincere and to be encouraged. However in situations such as these the Master's voice is going to be heard, and revenue is going to trump common sense. As our editor also makes clear, with these stupid patents Microsoft is joining patent bullies -- and leaving a huge exposed flank for patent trolls. Now it can hardly ask for sympathy from other software houses and organizations. Their patents are not defensive but another arrow in the quiver.