Re: [governmentforge] Shocking news about Microsoft's ability to kill Open Source

I hope everyone reads this email.

[email protected] wrote:
> The EU-sponsored egovos conference at the end of Nov was recently 
> unexpectedly
> cancelled.
> 
> http://www.egovos.org/nov-2003/
> 
> is this related?  part of a larger pattern of quelling FLOSS in government?
> 
> hjm
> 
> Tom Adelstein wrote:
>  > Hello,
>  >
>  > I'm scheduled to speak at the Desktop Linux Consortium on November 10th
>  > at Boston University. My subject relates to Linux in State and Local
>  > Government, a subject about which I have some knowledge.
>  >
>  > This morning I discovered from a reliable source that we will not be
>  > invited back because Microsoft offered BU a Gold Partnership agreement
>  > and marketing money to never "do this again".
>  >
>  > Jsut slightly infuriated, I inquired anonymously about the situation. I
>  > contacted the Department of Justice and spoke to an attorney. Imagine my
>  > surprise to discover Microsoft didn't do anything wrong. What they did
>  > doesn't violate the law. I couldn't believe it.
>  >
>  > Imagine, all the time spent trying to stop them from restraining trade
>  > and it means nothing. They can pay companies to "not sell" Linux. They
>  > can provide "marketing money" to make sure their products are put ahead
>  > of others, make sure certain products don't get shelf space, advertise
>  > on every page featuring Linux or Open Source Software and they don't
>  > break the law. Basically, they're not considered criminals as far as I
>  > can tell.
>  >
>  > Now, if they threaten you with bodily harm, that's different. But what
>  > does one get other than maybe a settlement if they do? That's something
>  > else I found out.
>  >
>  > I've followed Microsoft's antics for years now and seen some amazing
>  > things. Some of those include what I thought were "kickbacks". But in
>  > reality, they must not be kickbacks. I guess if they won a contract and
>  > paid the procurement officer, that would be a kickback. But, no one has
>  > accused them of that - at least not in any way about which I know. Price
>  > cutting, sure they do that. Lobbying, they do that too. Whining, I hear
>  > they whine and spin. Evidenttly, nothing is wrong with that either.
>  >
>  > So, all I can conclude is that we shouldn't call them crooks. We might
>  > wind up the subject of a defamation suit.
>  >
>  > I wonder if we could suggest a boycott?
>  >
>  > Would doing that be a violation of law?
>  >
>  > Tom
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  >
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>  > [email protected]
>  >
>  > 
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>  >
>  >
> 
> -- 
> Cheers, Harry
> Harry J Mangalam - 949 856 2847 (v&f) - [email protected]
>              <<plain text preferred>>
> 
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