of Microsoft Linux and strange bedfellows

["Lewis A. Mettler" <lmettler@lamlaw.com>]

I must admit that it is a bit strange to find apparent Linux supporters
and Microsoft supporters joining forces to discredit a representative of
the consumer's interest on this list.

For your reading:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/991213-000021.html

Now. I will admit that both Microsoft and Linux supporters have reason
to discredit anything I may have to say critically about their
respective products or business practices.  After all, Microsoft has all
but been proven a monopolist and violator of antitrust laws because of
bundling and Linux supporters just hate the idea that open source itself
creates a security risk that did not exist before.

But, what is interesting from the above article is that Microsoft is
openly "thinking" seriously about Linux competition.

Others have suggested privately (no names remember) that Microsoft may
have a plan to invalidate this list by creating a useless forum or by
getting certain views censored.  Certainly it is strange to find Linux
and Microsoft supporters so adamant about the forcing the sale of
products via bundling.  Consumers simply do not care about forcing
fellow consumes to buy products.  Corporate promoters do care.

However, Linux supporters do not really have that much to gain from
promoting bundling as a marketing tool to deny consumes their choice. 
While it is absolutely obvious that Microsoft business plan is founded
upon that principal.  And, Bill Gates (when he is not being overcharged
for IE by his personal supplier) insists upon the absolute right to
bundle any product he wants with Windows and thereby forcing all
consumers to buy it too.

So who is really behind the push to discredit anyone who suggests that
consumers should be able to choose what they buy?  Certainly, Microsoft
Corporation is.  The only question is what methods they employ.  Has
Microsoft Corporation been caught before hiring or paying for someone to
misrepresent themselves on public forums and conduct company business? 
Yes.  They have.  Is not Microsoft Corporation right now seeking
employees to cause direct harm to Linux?  Read the above article and
decide for yourself.

In fact, decide all issues for yourself.

-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)