"Microsoft, makers of most of the computer software in the world, tried to kill it with words, and Intel, maker of most computer chips, tried to kill it with dirty tricks. Of course, they don't admit to being attempted murderers. And when I introduce you to Intel's lovely spokesperson, Agnes Kwan, you'll realise how far their denials go. But the truth is the two mightiest high-tech companies in the world looked on Negroponte's philanthropic scheme and decided it had to die."
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2008-04-10
Member since:2007-07-13
Member since:2005-10-19
Yep, totally agree. However readers should not be fooled into thinking this is a MS-specific phenomenon.
The truth is, that practically all (for profit) corporations have only one goal - To be a monopoly.
Corporations, are like human beings. Numerous studies have shown that human beings will cheat and steal, if they are reasonably sure they can get away with it.
This inbuilt tendency is exacerbated by corporations because they are subject only to their shareholders, who have only one aim - profit.
For an excellent analysis of this corporate mindset, see http://www.thecorporation.com/ , which ultimately concludes that were corporations human beings, they would be certifiably insane.
Microsoft only seems worse than other corporations for the same reason that humans seem more destructive for our planet. They have the power to do as they please.
Member since:2007-12-04
Member since:2005-11-15
People who work for Microsoft are in the same position as people working for any other multinational corporation: They have to find some personal ethical basis for working for an organization that is concerned only with profit. All the 'ethical' things corporations do are effectively part of their marketing budget.
As soon as OLPC became about technology and about software philosophy then it lost focus on education. How many adults have learnt new skills using computer based and online training; why should children have to sit in rows in a dusty classroom and be lectured by a teacher in front of a blackboard; Why not provide a low cost educational electronic book to all of them.
As for the latest war - you would think that in the 21st century we could handle border adjustments with less murder, mayhem, destruction and suffering - why shouldn't people have their own country that reflects their culture and language instead of being split apart by some line that some dictator drew on a map a long time ago.
We need to understand there is a lot more to these countries that just the oil and gas pipelines that run through them.
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2007-07-13
Member since:
2007-07-13
Yay! You've finally come out! If only you would admit to yourself that you are not actually "PlatformAgnostic" at all then you wouldn't be liable to accusations of astroturfing whenever you forget to put a disclaimer on.
Sigh. You are missing the forest for the trees, mate. Even the most rabid Linux or Mac fanboi would be a fool if they denied that the individuals within MS are among the smartest and most upstanding folk you could encounter. However, the corporate culture of the aggregate is shocking - not only ruthless (as would be expected for hard competition), but underhanded, and slightly evil (prepared to unfairly harm others for its own ends. People are ruined by Microsoft's unfair (and found to be illegal) practices).
Here's a political analogy (and politics is always dangerous so please be a little tolerant). The current Russian invasion of Georgia (since Ossetia is currently recognised by the international community as within Georgia) is comprised of individuals that are probably very good people that are looking after their comrades and fellow Russians within Ossetia. They see it as defence of Rodina, the Motherland. Yet, as an aggregate army they are definitely committing evil. Invading a sovereign state and killing civilians - all to keep the Russian populace under control in nationalistic fervour. The population lap it up - which is what you are doing by not critically analysing the actions of your own company (despite many good people working there). Before everyone starts Russian bashing, no country or organisation is immune to this (so let's not start on Iraq ok?). The point is, good people can work for bad organisations, even if the bad organisations sometime do good things (dare I invoke a certain Nationalist Socialist providing full employment and reviving of his countries depressed economy as another example).
Wake up!