Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sat 12th May 2007 21:40 UTC, submitted by dylansmrjones
"The Free Software movement is dead. Linux doesn't exist in 2007. Even Linus has got a job today." Controversial statements from the head of Microsoft's Linux Labs, Bill Hilf. Speaking on the last leg of a tour of Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, Bill Hilf, more formally known as Microsoft's platform strategy director, was in the region to 'be descriptive and intelligent in giving people an understanding of open source and debunk a lot of the mythology around open source'.
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Member since:
2005-07-08
Did I understand that the guy is trying to claim: "free software = freeware"? That is, of course, not true at all. It seems to be an intended misrepresentation or else the man hasn't done his homework at all like read the IT news for the recent 10 years or so. Open source and free software can be as commercial as closed source software (and, on the other hand, there's also lots of closed source freeware that doesn't cost a penny). So being paid and working in a company as an open source (like Linux kernel) programmer has always been perfectly ok within the open source / free software community.
What Microsoft doesn't seem to learn is that it is just that kind of FUD against their competitors - that is plentiful in that article too - that is turning more and more people away from them - me included. Morals and truth do matter in business too. Usually lies and FUD are going to hit your own legs in the end.
Of course, Linux and open source / free software people may often not be perfect angels either, and, for example, some of them may have sometimes been using too harsh words about Microsoft too. I don't like that either (base your criticism on clear facts, don't just badmouth others) although I can understand why some people may be very frustrated with Microsoft and may thus sometimes overreact.
I have nothing against Microsoft or their products in themselves. The usability of MS Windows has usually been quite good (although their product security has been somewhat poor at least until recent times). But to my regret I must say that I've just learned from many, many stories on and on not to trust Microsoft and their words very much anymore. It has, of course, also influenced me in my IT buying decisions...
Microsoft should learn how to do more cooperation instead of just trying to kill everyone who competes with them. Then people, governments and also other companies, might learn to trust and like them again...
Edited 2007-05-12 23:29