Is M$ running scared?

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=35941

I would have gone with Linux if it were me, even if MS made Windows XP cheaper it is still a Virus Hole of the worst Kind. no matter how much patching and updating you do to it. There will always be some virus,worm,security hole ect attacking it and the really sad thing is that when and if Linux ever gains the same popularity as windows in most circles it will have the same problems as windows tons and tons of malware,spyware and the like call me paraniod or whatever but as long as a scriddie can learn about an OS they can and will reak havoc on it.

Oh I'm sure MS can give governments nice discounts and I'm sure if the collective hacker/scriptkiddie/exploiter armies focus on Linux, they can get something out of it.

What you REALY gain from switching is immunity from vendor lockin (switching distro's is not that painful) and control over every aspect of your machines (no obscure stuff, shady DRM scemes, or possible NSA backdoors).

Those things should concern government bodies more then if they can save a view bucks on the short term.

The issue in any situation like this is the extent to which fair and ethical competition is followed. Consider 2 ways of telling the same story:

1. After Joe's bakery considered conversion to Open Source, they were offered a package deal by Microsoft to stay with Windows. Joe's IT department looked at the TCO for both options and decided to accept the MS offer.

2. After learning of Joe's Bakery efforts to convert to OpenSource, MS application engineers immediately set out to undermine the effort. This included a local media blitz at local sports bars pointing out the evils of OpenSource. The mayor, a major MS stockholder, got nervous and began discussing cancelling the city's doughnut contract with Joe's.

Bottom line: If competition lowers the price of MS products, that's great. I don't think any of us wants or expects MS to go away. We would like them to clean up their tactics.....

Yes, I also hope the same but it seems that MS enjoys it's tactics and is ready to pay heavy penalties for using them.

They will never clean up their act until they have to. It is all politics and that is the problem with businesses like microsoft. If a ignorant hillbilly (George Bush) can make the decision to allow microsoft to continue their monolopy because he thinks they are innovative, then it is a political problem.

Yes I do agree 100% with you on this matter. You never know what and how firms like Microsoft may take advantage of politics or any other strong source to boost their sales and continue with the so called monopoly in the market in US and across the globe.

Theres nothing wrong with microsoft doing dirty business tactics, it's just business.
The best business is a monopoly, bill gates did an awesome job.
linux just has to fight smarter.
Come on it's up to the customers in the end.

Sorry, but I must take issue. In the 21 century, there is no excuse for dirty business tactics, and monopolies are never good for the economy.

As much as anything, Bill Gates was in the right place at the right time.

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