08.06.08
Microsoft’s “Balance-sheet Liability” to Self
“Linux is a very complete and sophisticated operating system. And there is a lot of work being done to improve it in and of itself, particularly to make it easier to use and easier for people to set up on their personal computers.”
–Paul Maritz, senior vice-president, Microsoft
Come out of the closer, Microsoft. You know you like some GNU (new) love. Previous posts have already exposed in some level of detail Microsoft’s secret affairs with GNU/Linux and Free software [1, 2, 3], but the company continues to deny or hide it. How much longer can this go on for?
Here is another new example that has just been posted to USENET:
Message-ID: <4899e873$0$2923$fa0fcedb@news.zen.co.uk>
From: Klunk <givemespam@wibblywobblyteapot.co.uk>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.advocacy
Subject: M$ Endorse LINUX appliance - then try to cover it up!
Date: 06 Aug 2008 18:07:47 GMT
Microsoft told a company who supply them with Linux based Email Virus &
Spam filters to remove their logo from their ‘customer spotlight’ feature
on their front page.
The small company that supply niche Linux products to protect
predominantly WINDOWS networks, proudly displayed Microsoft as a customer.
When Microsoft realised that it was public knowledge they were buying
network protection devices running on Linux, it looks like they shit the
bed! Now, there is *NO SIGN* of them on the front page, or even in the
customer list.
http://www.barracudanetworks.com/ns/customers/customer_list.php
This is merely part of a pattern. Yahoo too has had Microsoft confess that it’s willing to adopt Free software — simply because it’s more suitable for the task. Didn’t Microsoft portray GNU/Linux as cancer and theft? Is that the same thing it so happily adopts for its own secret use? █
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.