03.07.08
Quick Mention: Good Riddance to Bad Behaviour
Microsoft’s elite continues to crumble
Another one bites the dust and it seems to suggest that defending Microsoft in Europe proved rather frustrating, if not altogether impossible.
Tom Brookes, Microsoft’s Brussels-based spokesman on antitrust matters, has resigned his partnership position at the public affairs consultancy G-Plus, and his responsibility for the Microsoft account, and is understood to be joining Apple, according to people who work closely with him.
And another one joins the top-level exodus. This comes just days after Steve Ballmer expressed concerns over the fines in the EU and even mentioned “retirement”.
Let’s just wait and see how Microsoft can spin this departure from the case/cause as a good thing. They always find a good excuse. █
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.