[svlug] Darnit Chris

[George Bonser]

On Wed, 11 Nov 1998, Todd Martin wrote:

> Now that slashdot published it the security will be upped. They may have a
> Penguin detector at the front door and deny entrance.


I doubt you will get past the door. I am serious. These people are in
business, they are probably not going to stand for a competitor causing
any distraction or disruption at their event. Remeber, in this game you
are not a private citizen, you are acting directly as a business
competitor. Would a Chevy dealer allow Ford salesmen to give out 30-day
free trials at the Chevy dealership's Grand Opening? I think not. Remeber
to conduct yourself as a representative of a competitor.

Consider yourself to be there to keep Microsoft honest. Ask questions
about how well the products interface in a multivendor enterprise network.
How far has Microsoft gone to ensure that applications and operating
systems from other vendors can communicate and share data with the
Microsoft applications. How can Microsoft ensure that their applications
will be useful in an environment with multiple vendors over the long haul
... stuff like that.  

They need to hear that there are a LOT of users out there that DO NOT WANT
proprietary extentions to protocols. That doing these things EXCLUDES them
from more markets than it locks them into.

Forget the Linux advocacy, I think we would be better served by making
Microsoft sweat a bit on the compatability issue. Ask them tough
questions. Tell them why their OS is not an option for you. Ask them what
they are doing about it and make sure that you let them know that their
actions are seen as a fundamental weakness and not strength.


George Bonser

The Linux "We're never going out of business" sale at an FTP site near you!


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