[cw-discuss] Wine sabotage

[Tom Wickline]

On 3/9/07, Manaen Schlabach <manaen.schlabach at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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).

How have so many generals in the past won at war?
Seems to me the answer would be divide and concur.

  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.

See: http://showusthecode.com/


> 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.
>

I would imagine a huge part of there wealth is tied up in M$ stock and
if they cut and run the stock price would plummet. M$ is worth 287
billion because of there practices! If they were to become respectable
overnight the stock price would reflect this, and they would find the
company being worth maybe 100 billion.

I just don't see Bill & Steve wanting to give up 2/3 of there personal empire.


-Tom

Respectable computing - Linux/FOSS