Re: Microsoft Responds to Internal Memo Regarding the Open Source Model and Linux

["Norm" <normanmo@clark.net>]

On Mon, 9 Nov 1998 14:46:45 -0500 (EST), John N Bryan wrote:

>>Q: The first document talked about extending standard protocols as a way
>>to "deny OSS projects entry into the market." What does this mean?
>>
>>A: To better serve customers, Microsoft needs to innovate above standard
>>protocols. By innovating above the base protocol, we are able to deliver
>>advanced functionality to users. An example of this is adding
>>transactional support for DTC over HTTP. This would be a value-add and
>>would in no way break the standard or undermine the concept of standards,
>>of which Microsoft is a significant supporter. Yet it would allow us to
>>solve a class of problems in value chain integration for our Web-based
>>customers that are not solved by any public standard today. Microsoft
>>recognizes that customers are not served by implementations that are
>>different without adding value; we therefore support standards as the
>>foundation on which further innovation can be based.
>>
>>
>
>Of course who gets to decide whether it adds value or not?
>
>This is a complete obfuscation of the more important, and what I believe,
>desired result. By 'innocently' adding proprietary (and I would add,
>-needless- ), bells and whistles on top of, into, whatever, existing
>agreed upon, PUBLIC OPEN standards, they also become coincidentally the
>OWNERS of a defacto standard by virtue of their monopoly market position.
>What a deliciously innocent, serendipitous consequent for Microsoft.
>
>If you buy their justification, then I have a nice set of
>Microsoft MIME-OLE standards I can sell you cheap.


     Sell standards??  Is this some kind of M$ pun?? ;-)

     Yeah, my favorites are the obligatory "to serve our customers" and
"innovation" lies.  What a load of crap!!!  The only thing they plan to
"serve" is their own greed, and if required they'll take their
customers kicking and screaming all the way.

--
 ...Cheers,

 ...Norm

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