[NBLUG/talk] A Must Read For All Linux Users!

[E Frank Ball]

On Wed, May 14, 2003 at 09:34:04PM -0700, Mike Egan, ME wrote:
} 
} The summary is someting to the effect:
} MS is going to resort to "software dumping" (like chip dumping) to squeeze
} out competition. This is illegal in Europe, but only questionable in the
} U.S.
} Some MS employees attend OpenSource/LinuxWorld/LinuxExpo events in
} cognito. Somce do it to gather information/make judgements, while others
} just dont want to be harassed based on their employment.
} 
} There is more to it than that, but that is just a summary.


I remember listening to the RedHat CEO when he talked at HP a few years
ago.  I don't remember the exact numbers, but he was talking about
RedHat's business model and how they didn't intend to capture a
significant portion (in dollars) of the $5 billion software business,
but they intended to reduce the size (in dollars) of the software
business tremendously by offering free software.

Think of the microsoft discounts as the first step before having to
lower the standard prices for everyone.  Especially in Europe where the
law makes it risky to discount.  Software and drug companies are already
doing this in some contries were pirating is rampent in an effort to
keep some sales base.

Consider this a good sign of things to come.

-- 

   E Frank Ball                frankb at efball.com