About Microsoft's attempt to kill the Desktop Linux Conference

I am the executive director of the group running the Desktop Linux
Conference at Boston University.

I too have heard that Boston University took the "Gold Partnership" with
Microsoft. I don't know the contract terms, and highly doubt that it says
_on_paper_ that they won't invite us again, even if that is understood
between the parties.

This time, Boston U. put money _into_ the conference. We're going to
have a conference to promote Free Software on the Desktop. _We_ set
the program and invited the speakers, B.U. and Microsoft had nothing to
do with that. Microsoft asked to have a speaker in the program, and I
refused.

To create a boycott or bad publicity before the conference would just be
playing into Microsoft's hands.

After the conference, I will issue an open letter to BU asking if the
allegation that we won't be invited back due to a Microsoft partnership
is true.

	Thanks

	Bruce Perens