07.09.07
The Jakarta Post and OIN Talk About Patents and/or FUD
Early this morning, The Jakarta Post was brave enough to slam Microsoft for its tactics. While trying to remain balanced, the article seems to be accusing the company of fighting emerging trends by moving goalposts (changing laws), making unsubstantiated threats, and attempting to outmuscle the competition rather than concentrating on its own products.
Perhaps what Microsoft should do as a whole is to play better with others and listen to its user base. The world and markets have changed, yet a number of companies and organizations continue to struggle to maintain their old business models. Using legal tactics instead of true technology innovation will not endear nor create loyal customers.
Thumbs up to The Jakarta Post for doing what the press in the West is usually unwilling to do in quite the same way. The popular press, unlike the mainstream press, sometimes offers criticism and balance. It is not as dependent on large corporations. Whatever you read, always mind where it comes from. There is too much financially-motivated bias in the outlets which many people still trust.
For what it’s worth, here is a fuzzy and short video of OIN’s top man. It is incomplete. He speaks about patents, but does not refer to Microsoft’s accusations. We are hoping to find some better videos that cover this topic, so stay tuned.
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.