[svlug] Microsoft exec says there is no such this as Free Software

[Christian Einfeldt]

Microsoft most certainly does not just "sell stuff".  They are in the
business of making sure that there can be no real competitors:

http://slashdot.org/articles/08/03/25/1914233.shtml

*"The South African minister of public service and administration on Monday
addressed the opening of the Idlelo 3 free software conference in Dakar,
Senegal, saying that software patents posed a considerable
threat<http://www.tectonic.co.za/?p=2304>to the growth of the African
software sector (
video <http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-443526201833707871&hl=en>).
Microsoft responded aggressively, saying that 'there is no such thing as
free software <http://mybroadband.co.za/news/Software/3258.html>. Nobody
develops software for charity.'"*

I surf, and surfers have a saying:  "never turn your back on the ocean."
The logic is that while it cannot be said that the ocean bears anyone
malice, it is also true that the ocean has no pity, no remorse, and no
mercy.  It just is.  Big waves can come out of nowhere, and if you happen to
be in the way, well, that is your own fault.  So too with Microsoft, except
that unlike the ocean, Microsoft has direction, course, and purpose:
eliminating all competition.  That includes Free Software, which Microsoft
regularly discloses as a threat in its annual 10-k filing for the SEC:

http://microsoft.shareholder.com/redesign/EdgarDetail.asp?CIK=789019&FID=1193125-07-170817&SID=07-00

The point here is not to drum up hatred against Microsoft; but rather to say
that there is really no reason to invite them to Free Software gatherings,
or to welcome them if they come.*
*
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