[Linux-Anyway] Re: VNUNet -- Microsoft acknowledges Linux threat
- From: "Mercy Design" <MercyDesign@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <Linux-Anyway@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2002 18:09:16 -0400
> VNUNet - 10 minutes ago
>
> Microsoft acknowledges Linux threat
> By James Middleton [25-09-2002]
>
> Open source OS now a serious competitor, says Ballmer
>
> At the Microsoft Most Valued Professionals conference held in
> London this week, chief executive Steve Ballmer acknowledged the
> growing threat of Linux.
>
> "We got beaten by Linux in the very high-end systems, but we have
> a whole development team despatched on that now," he is reported
> as saying in the Financial Times: "Linux isn't going to go away.
> Our job is to provide a better product in the marketplace."
>
> He added that Microsoft needed to better explain how its products
> added value compared with free software.
>
> Pitching the Most Valued Professionals initiative against the
> open source movement, Ballmer recognised that the appeal of Linux
> is not just low costs, but the sense of belonging to a
> development community.
>
> "Linux is not about free software, it's about community," he
> said. "It's not like Novell: it isn't going to run out of money.
> It started off bankrupt, in a way."
>
> But Ballmer's remarks incensed Novell. Company spokesman Bruce
> Lowry said: "This is typical Microsoft FUD [fear, uncertainty and
> doubt].
>
> "Novell is not running out of cash; it has $600m plus in the bank
> and positive revenue growth. Ballmer's quotes don't reflect
> reality.
>
> "Microsoft is obviously worried about the spectre of Linux, and
> we continue to provide an alternative operating system that
> doesn't lock users in."
>
> While Ballmer acknowledged that Linux "couldn't be beaten on
> price", he claimed that Microsoft added value.
>
> He explained that the Redmond giant will focus on the SME
> software market in a bid to "make hay" against its competitors
> while it has the time.
>
> © 1995-2002 VNU Business Publications Ltd. All rights reserved.
>
Oooh... is the big bad money sucking Microsloth getting worried? <g>
Sorry, couldn't resist :)
Mercy
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