Ballmer on Linux (Register)

Ballmer on Linux (Register)

Two observations.

First, we see the first example of these supposedly "rational arguments" in the "Ten Linux Myths [Quibbled Over]" http://lwn.net/Articles/30237/ press release from Microsoft mouthpiece Gartner. Of course these are not rational arguments in the classical sense; but they are sophistical arguments meant to mislead and subtly confuse even as they appear to appeal to rationality. This is a major step for MS, and they have hired someone good at it.

Second, Ballmer says MS has "absolutely no plans to port any of its substantial software library to Linux." When a company starts making public statements like this, expect a port within a year. This will not be a good thing for Free Software, and we'd better be prepared.

Why will it not be a good thing? I'm sure you can think of lots of other reasons, but how about this one: viruses and worms.