Microsoft and the 'Do More Evil' Slogan
One of Google's slogans is "do no evil". After reading the long article that exposes Microsoft's attempts to collect royalties on patents that are supposedly violated by open source software, Microsoft should add "do more evil" as one of its slogans.
I started reading Microsoft takes on the free world at CNNMoney.com with an open mind. After I finished, I came to the conclusion that Microsoft isn't content to have the largest share of the proprietary software market. Microsoft wants to destroy its competitors completely.
I don't have anything personal against Microsoft software or its operating system. I believe that people should use what they need to get the job done, even if that job is just getting on the Internet. At this point in time, I believe that the Microsoft Corporation is its own worst enemy. Their continued attacks on all things not Microsoft is driving people away from their products, not toward them. It's kind of like how the RIAA is driving music lovers away from mainstream music.
I think in the end game, Microsoft is going to lose in a major way. After the US Patent Office declares a whole slew of their "after the fact" patents invalid, Microsoft is going to lose corporate clients as fast as they've been losing home users. Are makers of other operating systems and related software products ready and willing to fill the void? Oh, yes. Eager is more like it.
A few short years ago, my opinion was that Linux had a long way to go to be better than Microsoft. I had so much trouble with drivers and hardware cooperating with each other that I had no choice but to keep going back to Windows. I knew the day would come when Linux would be better than Windows. That day has come and gone. I'm absolutely positive that I'll be successful in moving away from Windows completely the next time I attempt to do so.
More blogs that are talking about this:
Ask the VC – Microsoft – The New Destructor of Innovation: "Now Steve Ballmer is seemingly on a press tour saying that Microsoft deserves royalites from anyone who uses free software and yes, this includes Linux."
The Technology Liberation Front – Microsoft's Shell Game: "The impression Microsoft wants to give here is that free software is of high quality because it's copied from Microsoft's own software."
Patent Law Blog (Patently-O) – Microsoft: FOSS Infringes Our Patents: "Microsoft's patent filing have ramped-up significantly over the past five-years, and the company will likely top the list of new-patent-owners in the coming years."
O'Reilly ONLamp Blog – Looks like Microsoft is ramping up for Son of SCO: "Yep, no more rumors, just the plain reality that Microsoft is going to take their portfolio of laughable patents and start sticking it to the open source community legally, as spelled out in the most recent Fortune."
Haacked – Is Fighting Open Source With Patents A Smart Move By Microsoft?: "Instead, I want to focus on the negative perception of such a move for Microsoft and the potential effects of that."
Jeremy's Blog – Microsoft takes on the free world: "It appears that the battle lines are being drawn and the cold war of software patent world may be coming to an end. The players involved here are huge and the amount of money astronomical. Who has the most to lose? I'd say Microsoft."
Similar Posts:
I agree with you. If microsoft had the live and let live policy, they would prosper. Their sole aim is to destroy others in the field, not to create something innovative…
I use Debian GNU/Linux as my main desktop these days and hardly use Windows at all. If I need Windows, I go with Windows 2000 because it's the best Windows created till date…
two words:
live cds
When I want to test something new and I don't want to mess with my HD, I try the newest CD from knoppix or ubuntu.
Live CD's are Linux distribution that runs from a cd/dvd and don't need to write anything on your hd, so you can easily test them on a windows machine.
I think you knew already this, but I just wanted to leave a comment, so..
Hehehe… Yes, I know about live CDs. I was talking about a complete switch, though.
"I'm absolutely positive that I'll be successful in moving away from Windows completely the next time I attempt to do so."
-So, what are you doing today? LOL! Seriously, though, I hope that you make out fine with the transition. You know my email address if you get stumped (not saying that I know it all but I've been around a few *nix blocks too).
Yes, run now! See http://www.oreillynet.com/onlamp/blog/2007/05/looks_like_microsoft_is_rampin.html – who wants to be associated with a bully?
Digg is down. will be back later today. Good post RT
Really interesting and honest post. It is very true that we all rely FAR too much on Microsoft, which truly has become an evil, evil entity. We should all definitely move towards using Macs and Linux to avoid giving Bill Gates and his team any more of our hard earned money.
I eagerly await the day when they tumble off the rather large pedestal they've been looming over us on.
Thanks for the thoughts.
-Kate
Unfortunatly windows dominates the home user computers, so if you work at a software company like I am you end up doing windows software in MFC or .NET. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a M$ lover, but I have to live with something. Open source doesn't day. Linux guys expect every peace of software to be free and open source. Plus there are only very few of them in comparison to the big market of windows users. Those user actually buy software and pays for the development costs.
Anyway, many business clients want custom software for windows. Their employees only know how to operate windows. It's a vicious circle and Microsoft is the only winner
I wish a had good linux projects that PAYED too 
I think Jeremy Garcia's post should be included in your list of those who blogged about it. He's always got good insight. Good links there too.
Hi RT – Thanks for this informative post. I cuss at Microsoft on a regular basis. I have the new Vista and it's slower than all get out. XP was much faster, but it's getting long in the tooth too. It's posts like this that helps me know what to look for and often what to do. What you recommend is what I've been doing. With good results too. Thanks RT!
MrCorey, thanks, I did it!
The article got buried at Digg after it tortuously clawed its way up the upcoming articles tab. It was to be expected. There were several articles on the same subject at the same time fighting for attention.
>>"Their continued attacks on all things not Microsoft is driving people away from their products, not toward them. It’s kind of like how the RIAA is driving music lovers away from mainstream music."
Yep, thats why they posted their largest ever revenue quarter eh?
>>"I’m absolutely positive that I’ll be successful in moving away from Windows completely the next time I attempt to do so"
wow, you write this (uninformed as it is and yet you still haven't "moved" yet?