01.22.07
Microsoft Seeks Experts to Corrupt Wikipedia Information on Open XML
Open XML is an important issue which revolves not only around Microsoft, but also around Novell, who promised to support this so-called ’standard’ in OpenOffice (see previous stories on this topic). Wait until you hear a little more. Microsoft uses shills to spin the facts.
…I was a little surprised to receive email a couple of days ago from Microsoft saying they wanted to contract someone independent but friendly (me) for a couple of days to provide more balance on Wikipedia concerning ODF/OOXML.
This is not the first incident which involves shilling for what Groklaw calls “Monopoly enabler”.
- MA Governor-Elect Names MS Anti-ODF Lobbyist to Technology Advisory Group
- Microsoft offers schools in Mass. free software [to stop ODF adoption]
- Microsoft plays Massachusetts Senate card - OpenDocument not a done deal yet
- The Sorry State of Massachusetts
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.
Draconishinobi said,
January 23, 2007 at 3:39 pm
Not sure they could do too much harm to wiki. After all, the changes must be accepted before they are posted, and they tend to not allow biased info.
Other than that, what else can you expect from M$. Spread propaganda, infiltrate, sabotage, destroy, “f’ing kill”, and other wonderful things.
Roy Schestowitz said,
January 23, 2007 at 4:02 pm
Jelliffe, however, is among the maintainers/moderators, I think. Let me just have a look at what PJ had to say…
http://www.groklaw.net/newsitems.php
“[PJ: Well, well. Out of the closet. So now you will know how to read O'Reilly's XML Blog and Wikipedia entries on ODF/OpenXML, huh? Isn't it sad that Microsoft has to hire people to help them?]”
I think that the information source that I have in mind is actually my E-mail account — something from the ODF Alliance. I’m fairly sure that they target people with authority rather than some arbitrary volunteer.
Draconishinobi said,
January 23, 2007 at 9:55 pm
Oh … well, I guess my momentary optimism didn’t pay off (as usual) … back to being myself again
Roy Schestowitz said,
January 23, 2007 at 10:10 pm
Draconishinobi, here’s a deal. Write lots of comments that expose Novell and we’ll mail you a cheque. But sheesh! Don’t tell anyone.