At http://www2.telegraaf.nl/digi/article1711681.ece (a dutch newspaper site) it's claimed that microsoft is even willing to offer it's software for free, to prevent Linux from entering into the national goverments.

A free window could indeed stop the uprise from linux...

just incase people were interested in this who are unable
to comprehend dutch, i translated the article. i might have
made some mistakes, but they should not be ground-shaking.

enjoy.

amsterdam - last year, a high-placed manager with microsoft sent a
confidential email to colleagues, suggesting aggressive sales-politics.
it boils down to preventing worldwide governments from switching to
cheaper alternatives for the windows operating system, such as linux.

this message was sent to fellow managers last summer by orlando
ayala, who was responsible for world-wide sales at microsoft. among
those was the most important man with microsoft, steve ballmer.

ayala proposed to his colleagues that if it seemed that the deal with
a government agency would not get a green light, the sales-people
could fall back to a special fund which could be used to offer microsoft
software at a discount or even free, as reported by the american
website silicon valley.

the memo named linux, seen by the populous as the largest threat to
the hegemony of microsoft. according to ayala, 'under no circumstances',
should windows lose from the free alternative called linux.

the aggressive campaign of microsoft is odd, as the company promised
improvements concerning the abuse of its power after a long battle with
us law.

the european uninion is still actively investigating the practices of the
software-concern. high discounts are principally speaking normal, but
according to the european law system they could be illegal incase they
are meant to force competitors out of the market.

jean-philippe courtois, head of microsoft europe, defended the use of
a special fund as being part of the strategy of being 'competitive' and
'relevant' concerning big deals with the inducation and government
market. 'linux is an important competitor', as said by courtois.

Hehehe...isn't this how M$ ended up bankrupting Netscape?

1 - Netscape sells a product
2 - M$ has an inferior product it wants to dominate
3 - M$ gives away the product (we'll ignore all the dirty deals in this discussion for now)
4 - Netscape is forced to give away its product for free as well...


Sounds like we managed to turn the tables on THEM....Linux was built free, free as in freedom...and a lot of the software is free as in beer too. Sounds like M$ is almost in Netscape's position, they have to give away their OS to keep people using it (personally I don't think this will be enough...it will slow linux adoption, but will not stop it).

Now if we can only get Linux into more OEM shops.

I would say that linux will break through as soon a distos will have preinstalled windows like userinterfaces for:
1) managing mysql (mysqlcc)
2) Apache and webservices
3) Samba

and 4) above all an easy installer (e.g. like Mozilla)

Most windows users (especially companies ) will start using windows if
1) the can access and browse directories as easy as in a windows environent, thus making the windows user feel 'at home'
2) Easily set up a webserver with database
3) easily set up internet connection

I am actually suprised not one distro (yet) that already offered these in one go (almost if you combine redhat and mandrake9.1)

The main reason is, that Linux would only than offer something windows doesnt have; a development environment for starting and moderate webdevelopers who still use windows today)

You are talking about servers though. How many normal, workstation, at-home users REALLY need mysql? Apache? Samba (well maybe, but assuming these people are actually switching, then SAMBA isn't needed, but NFS is).

Distro war, MS vs Linux... Nevermind, I won't start...

Anyway, I thank you for the translation, it encouraged me to read it! And hey, if you can get something for free, you must look at why? If this is a profitting company(obviously MS is), then you probably aren't really getting it for free... MS always wants something... Souls usually

Cool

Microsoft offers 'accessible' technology (but usually not free) but they do not offer 'open' technology, so all of the control that is associated with open technology remains in the hands of the vendor.

Anyhow, can't wait to see Windows 'Titanic 2006' to hit the streets.
As system manager of my company (12 people) I am planning to switch all workstations to Linux probably this fall. 'll have more pleasure with my budget than to give it for licencing, and other wonderfull 'hidden' costs

Microsoft is obviously changing business tactics (again)...they've moved to the getto drug dealer's business plan:

- pssst! You over there...try this sh*t man! Heaven in a pill! Don't worry, first hit is free!

As a corporate "Enterprise" Microsoft customer, I can tell you that Microsoft does offer stuff for free. We had a Microsoft guy out at our place last week. When we mentioned Linux, he'd hook us up with a couple free 2003 Windows Server licenses for free. No questions asked, just so that we stay a 100% Microsoft shop. That's how the big boys do it.

Linux has a lot to do to keep up with that

Did you people take the offer ?

Check your pockets, I'm sure they at least stole your lint!

Oh, and check the contract you sign(ed) with them, if your soul was included, well then I can see why they don't miss a few grand worth of OS's

Cool

Just remember...only the first hit's free

Didn't sign jack yet. I don't have enough power in my current position to tell them not to do it. If I did have the power, I'd tell them to screw off, I'm still gonna use Linux for some stuff and MS Boxes for other stuff

Unfortunately I don't have the control ....... yet

I don't wish linux turning more like Windows. It would actually be exactly the same as French loosing their culture suddenly.
I agree with user friendliness, but please save me from one overbloated windows clone!

you're perfectly welcome.