12.05.06
Here Comes Microsoft’s Anti-OpenDocument Study
Yes, this was inevitable. First it was Linux, which threatened Windows and now it’s OpenDocument, which threatens Microsoft’s biggest cash cow—Microsoft Office. Disinformation is yet again used as a weapon and Novell is the ammunition.
This study is a fact-based analysis of the emerging open document standards, Open XML and ODF.
Groklaw has already commented on this ’study’: “PJ: Jungle drums tell me that Microsoft is spreading this odd report around. Why wouldn’t it, when it includes hilarious sentences like this first one I’ve chosen? ODF, just to explain, is already an ISO standard. Open XML is not. Also notice the big “if” and then how they make use of the deal with Novell. Novell, Novell, what were you thinking? Not about ODF, obviously.”.
To add some context, IDC has served Microsoft with grossly biased reports in the past. Just months ago there was this:
The study, conducted by research firm IDC and commissioned by Microsoft, said Windows Vista will be installed on over 30 million personal computers in Denmark, France, Germany, Poland, Spain and United Kingdom within the first year of shipment.
Also covered here: IDC pronounces Linux unimportant to European economy
Need we even go back in time and find similar work by Microsoft-funded pressure groups and astroturfing?
In 2001, the Los Angeles Times accused Microsoft of astroturfing when hundreds of similar letters were sent to newspapers voicing disagreement with the United States Department of Justice and its antitrust suit against Microsoft. The letters, prepared by Americans for Technology Leadership, had in some cases been mailed from deceased citizens or nonexistent addresses.
How about this recent tidbit: “Bill Gates lends cash to buy newspapers - $350 million to MediaNews”?
Highlight: Novell was the first to acknowledge that Microsoft FUD tactics had substance. Novell then used anti-Linux FUD to market itself. 
Highlight: Xandros let Microsoft make patent claims and brag about (paid-for) OOXML support. 
Highlight: Linspire's CEO not only fell into Microsoft arms, but he also assisted the company's attack on GNU/Linux. 
Highlight: Microsoft craves pseudo (proprietary) standards and gets its way using proxies and influence which it buys. 
Highlight: The invasion into the open source world is intended to leave Linux companies neglected, due to financial incentives from Microsoft. 
Analysis: Xen, an open source hypervisor, possibly fell victim to Microsoft's aggressive (and stealthy) acquisition-by-proxy strategy.