[cw-discuss] Wine sabotage

[Manaen Schlabach]

<snip>
> IIUC, they are now more concerned about having everyone use MS-Office
> rather than everyone use Windows.
>
> Perhaps they just don't get it.  If promoting the use of MS-Office is
> their goal, then the WINE project is helping them.
>
> Actually, from a business standpoint, the logical business decision
> would be to release Windows for X Window (which would run on all *NIX
> OSes that use X).  If they are unable to write this themselves, they
<snip>

Eeek.  That would put Codeweavers out of business and there would be
starving programers in Minnesota.  Fortunately, I dont' see Microsoft
doing this.

Interestingly enough MS could benefit from the old if you can't beat
them, join them philosophy.  They have recently "partnered" with
Novell for Suse.  *If* they were smart they would simply say here is
the Microsoft version of Linux (with some tweaks) and it is every bit
as easy as our other system to use (much easier imo).  I am not sure
that this will happen though.  I think it is more likely they will try
to spread fear, uncertainty, and doubt by saying here is the only
"official" version of Linux and all of the others are hacker versions
that open you up to being sued because it has our "IP" (intellectual
property).  I really wish that Microsoft would put up or shut up when
it comes to this issue.  State which patents you think are being
infringed on and let's hash it out in court.  It seems like all of the
big name companies have tons of patents (for patently obvious things).
 Microsoft I am sure is aware that a move like this though could anger
IBM and a few other companies holding software patents resulting in a
little "patent backlash" for things that Microsoft is infringing on.
I have used Vista (ugh) and suspect that there is a lawsuit in there
somewhere for Steve Jobs.

Unfortunately, I don't see a lot of rationality in Microsoft's moves.
I would have to agree with Jeremy, if Ballmer and Gates did the right
thing and retired the company would probably shift course overnight.
This is just what it looks like from the outside in.  It is of course
possible that there are factors we don't see and it does make sense
when seen from the inside of Microsoft.