Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
The memo came on the heels of an annual retreat that Ballmer spent with other top Microsoft executives. Although the document covered several issues, ranging from innovation and product development to people and productivity, it clearly identified Linux and open-source as a growing threat to the company, requiring action at the highest level." (Thanks to Jay R. Ashworth)
Posted Jun 5, 2003 23:38 UTC (Thu)
by skybunny (guest, #4478)
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June 5th's trading session saw Microsoft's stock down 3% (MSFT being the second most heavily traded stock on NASDAQ for the day), Redhat Linux's up 10%, and VA Linux's up 44%.
[From CBS MarketWatch:] Among his comments, Ballmer said that Linux and free software products, "present a competitive challenge for us and our entire industry, and they require our concentrated focus and attention."
It's interesting to note what phrase appeared in here as well: 'a competitive challenge for [Microsoft] and our entire industry'.
It will probably become more clear in coming weeks what Microsoft intends to do about this, and how it feels 'the entire industry' should react to Linux's threat.
Today, anyway, one thing is certain; Microsoft is feeling some minor, if real pain from Linux's influence - registered in their stock price.
Posted Jun 7, 2003 17:40 UTC (Sat)
by Ross (guest, #4065)
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Posted Jun 5, 2003 23:44 UTC (Thu)
by Baylink (guest, #755)
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Posted Jun 6, 2003 3:23 UTC (Fri)
by tjc (guest, #137)
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Unless things have changed a home of small business user doesn't get any support from Microsoft, at least not without a credit card number. Part of the deal with OEMs is that they provide the tech support. At least that was the way it was when I bought my last Dell. A small business may get in shorter phone queue with more knowledgeable technicians, but still nothing from MSFT. Compare this to the free software community, where you have a fair chance of getting an email response from the guy who wrote the software!
Posted Jun 6, 2003 12:19 UTC (Fri)
by cpm (guest, #3554)
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When will someone pop this festering lie wide open? I began my migration in mindset towards gnu/linux back
Posted Jun 6, 2003 21:43 UTC (Fri)
by petegn (guest, #847)
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These comments have been quoted widely in financial circles and are being taken very seriously.
Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
That's interesting considering VA isn't a Linux or even anVA Stock Price
OSS company anymore. Are you sure there wasn't some other
reason for the rise in the stock price? Does VA still have
the LNUX ticker symbol? That seems pretty misleading if so.
My personal favorite quote is "...an illusion of support and accountability." Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
Yeah, I think that describes the safety net a home or small business user gets from
buying Microsoft, pretty exactly.
Yeah, I think that describes the safety net a home or small business user gets from buying Microsoft, pretty exactly.Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
Again, Ballmer and the M$ties keep alluding to "support".Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
in early 95 after being told by M$ support that they would
tell me how to restore the registry for NT3.0 from
tape for $450. I kept wondering what exactly it was
I was paying the 5 bucks or so a minute on their
900 number for in the first place. Their answer was
essentially RTFM. If I'm going to RTFM, I might
as well be using community supported software.
Ho Humm more of the usual crud from that scape goat at M$ dont he ever get Ballmer targets Linux in annual memo (ComputerWorld)
the idea Support whats that M$ dont offer support just ways of cleaning out
your bank account double quick i remember i once tried to get support from M$
some years ago before Linux was around and back then it was a joke small
company no chance home user may as well curl up and die cus M$dont want to
know they cant even fix problems for those that can afford to pay their inflated
rates (and egos')..