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100 Comments
- OBKenobi, on 10/10/2007, -13/+120Microsoft is a cooperative US cash cow, like AT&T, Exxon, Halilburton, and countless military contractors. These companies play ball with the US government in exchange for protection and backroom deals. Politicians will continue to protect this tyrannical monopoly until enough people stand up and demand change.
- inobla, on 10/10/2007, -3/+41"Yes, Mr. Secretary of Defense? I've called to inform you that if OOXML does not become the ISO standard immediately, the terrorists are going to hack around our entire infrastructure and DESTROY US!!!"
Cute little tiny article... Where is their source? - shug7272, on 10/10/2007, -7/+36This is the United States of America... which means Bill will get his way.. we will get *****.
- InetRoadkill, on 10/10/2007, -9/+36Considering that M$ bought its way out of the worst of the antitrust penalties by donating to Bush's 2000 campaign, I wouldn't be surprised they get what they want this time as well.
- schestowitz, on 10/10/2007, -21/+44No surprise here at all. Microsoft has admitted that it is willing to play as dirty as possible and last week's coverage from China spoke volumes.
http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20070817070419313
OOXML, ODF and UOF: What's Up in China?
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Friday, August 17 2007 @ 07:04 AM PDT
Contributed by: Admin
Views: 1,387
China
Microsoft has seemed to be flying high in the Peoples Republic of China lately. Bill Gates spent several days in Beijing earlier this year in meetings with high-level officials, after hosting Chinese President Hu Jintao the spring before at Gate's own home. And legitimate copies of Microsoft products appear to be at last gaining ground in comparison to pirated copies, albeit at the price of discounting them to almost unimaginable levels (students can now reportedly obtain a Windows/Office bundle for the incredible price of $3). Many credited Microsoft's pragmatic decision to accept Chinese realities and not insist on having everything its own way.
Here is the latest lie:
http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20070822150743399
People who know **Intimately** what Microsoft is doing should realise by now that the company is run by criminals in suits. Plain and simple. - CurtHowland, on 10/10/2007, -8/+24Or, just don't buy their products.
- mabhatter, on 10/10/2007, -1/+15Bingo, we have a winner. As long as the US government continues to be the LARGEST microsoft customer, any threats the DOJ may have ever made were vanity from the start. The fact that govt agencies require microsoft documents not thru normal channels of vendor selection or standard group but thru administrative "fiat" means that probably half the computer market is REQUIRED to use Microsoft's programs with no recourse or no discussion on their part or the taxpayers. Microsoft will press at places like the DoD that thrive on administrative "conveniences" as word of law. It's the core of their gravy train.
- joepeg, on 10/10/2007, -6/+18Did anyone else read that as "Bill Gates made calls to the Secretary of Defense using OOXML?"
- kingkilr, on 10/10/2007, -4/+16fail.
- Mistuke, on 10/10/2007, -5/+16I agree with the majority here. I want to see some hard evidence. This just seems just like some rant from a spoiled brat.
- CrimsonBlur, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11...WHAT?!
- kaph, on 10/10/2007, -0/+10The godamn ads are bigger than the article.....
- consonance, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11...Because a high level source in the government decided to spill the beans to a relatively obscure "XML Journal" at sys-con.com.
Call me skeptical, but I'm thinking this didn't actually happen. - CoreyBaehman, on 10/10/2007, -10/+19Okay.
First, why is this under Linux/Unix?
Second, without sources, this is inaccurate. Therefore buried.
***** blogspam digg posts. - CurtHowland, on 10/10/2007, -9/+17Microsoft is a publicly traded company. That means, by law, their management has one single overriding priority: To Maximize Investor Value.
Nothing about truth, justice, or anything else in there. Raw profits at any cost.
Microsoft's management believes that this goal can be achieved by playing dirty.
I believe that, since Microsoft's two formerly profitable products, Windows and Office, are now commodities, Microsoft would better serve their investors by becoming a service company. Sell value-enhancing add-ons to existing products, support for the millions of installed systems that use Microsoft OSs, like Win98 and Win2K, that work and whose owners do not want to risk breaking by "upgrading".
Microsoft could create a real, _working_ compatibility layer (like WINE) that would provide 100% function for Windows applications to run on Linux, MacOS, BSD, whatever, and Microsoft could sell that for $30 or $50 and people would _BUY_ it in much larger numbers than are buying VISTA.
And then, sell service contracts for that. Everybody wins, and Microsoft doesn't have to play filthy to grasp at every straw trying to keep afloat selling for $BIG what other people are giving away for $Nothing.
The OOXML "specification" has such well defined functions as "handle tabs like Office95" (no, really, is has many dead-end functions defined exactly that way), and since the only people who actually know how Office95 handled tabs are Microsoft, only Microsoft can produce _anything_ in OOXML that will actually work even using every bit of the 6,000 page OOXML "specification".
I consider the fact that the ISO people didn't throw the OOXML book back in Microsoft's face after the first reading to be an indication of just how powerful Microsoft is. Or Microsoft's money is, anyway.
Which leads me to wonder: If Microsoft the corporation did nothing but invest the money they have in the bank, if Microsoft simply became a holding company rather than trying to produce _anything_, they could still make $Billions and not have all the overhead of realestate, salaries, infrastructure, etc.
Maybe it's time for Microsoft the corporation to "retire and live off the interest"! - mabhatter, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9but in many ways that is the point. Microsoft only make large profits off the OS and Office groups. The two with the worst security and on time delivery records at the moment. They're promising their investors that XBox will pay off "real soon now" as they hit the 6 Billion dollar loss mark!!! MSN, Search, Zune.. it's all massive losses that would destroy other companies. Microsoft could make a tidy profit sticking to their original segment of Tools design.. even under Linux, microsoft has the best tool designers that could easily adapt Visual studio to OSS projects and make an even bigger killing, but they want GUARANTEED profit.. and investors are buying that load of crap.. .therefore it's "serving their interests" because each announcement the price of stock goes up.
- dvirsky, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7You'd think he made the calls over regular phone, or at least VOIP. but voice calls over OOXML? that's pretty darn impressive!
- Atomic1fire, on 10/10/2007, -2/+9reportedly is a pretty word for rumor has it
because they dont list a source
no factual backup
they dont say the words anonymous tipster
or even a persons name
I think they use reportedly as to say
rumor has it that Microsoft is poking the government to win - cappslite, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Shouldn't he be calling Al Gore instead? ;)
- Konstantino, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7Where else did you plan to find this article, Microsoft.com?
- PeppermintPig, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6This isn't capitalism. It's cronyism and mercantilism. Capitalism is a subset of freedom in general, describing a freedom to trade and produce. Bill Gates, however, thinks that he should have greater say in how this country is run than any other regular individual. If you can't stand the competition, get out of the kitchen: This is Bill Gates saying his product is not competitive enough to work or make a profit without government passing a regulation to endorse it. They want lucrative and exclusive access to providing a standard to the government, for unwarranted profits.
Big, corrupt government is irrevocably associated with corporations because they allow for their existence by granting special favors. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5I'm forcing myself to believe that you guys are a bunch of naive 12 year olds who happened to discover the internet yesterday and not some redneck *****.
- plagiats, on 10/10/2007, -2/+5me too. I was confused.
- CrimsonBlur, on 10/10/2007, -10/+13I understand that Microsoft is a greedy corporation (aren't they all?), and the general consensus among Digg users is "Micro$oft sux!", but this story is pretty out there. This blog cites absolutely no sources for this information whatsoever. "Gates reportedly picked up the phone...", according to who, exactly? Why would Bill Gates be the one to call anyway? Not to mention the fact that this is some random XML blog no one has ever heard of.
- HappyScrappy, on 10/10/2007, -10/+13Don't believe everything you read on the internet.
- slithy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3It's not just about hating Microsoft, OBKenobi is talking about how corporate America is allowed to run a muck and do whatever the ***** they please and that it's going to stay that way until enough people put their foot down.
- arpad, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3It's pretty terrifying, isn't it? I just wish Bill Gates were as intelligent, compassionate and thoughtful as the average Digg commenter. That way he'd still be planning to take over the world from his mom's basement.
- kingkilr, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Same, I was like how the ***** did he do that.
- dunkgreen, on 10/10/2007, -1/+4Americans have the best government money can buy!
- inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I thought it was BSD: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/5/55/Bsd_daemon.jpg :D
- bilgates, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5Bill gates calls robert gates.
- Mistuke, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3i do beleive he's still chairman... just not involved in the day to day activities at microsoft.
- icsbase, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Microsoft - what do we want to bribe now?
- GabrielSaldana, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Actually the richest man in the world is the Mexican Carlos Slim owner of the telephone monopoly in Mexico and also has something to do with CompUSA.
- hordak, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Gee.. Ain't this typical of them!! Flashback!!
http://news.com.com/2100-1001-268722.html
Microsoft's Ballmer meets with VP Cheney
By Sandeep Junnarkar
http://news.com.com/Microsofts+Ballmer+meets+with+VP+Cheney/2100-1001_3-268722.html
Story last modified Wed Jan 02 16:43:56 PST 2002
Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer on Tuesday paid a "courtesy call" to Vice President Dick Cheney to discuss a range of issues but did not bring up the imminent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on the government's landmark antitrust case against the software maker.
Ballmer is visiting Washington, D.C., for two days of meetings with members of Congress and major customers, said Microsoft spokeswoman Ginny Terzano. On Wednesday morning Ballmer will be addressing a work force summit hosted by the Department of Labor, speaking primarily about Microsoft's efforts to prepare workers for the high-tech work environment.
But with the Court of Appeals ruling likely to come any day, the timing of the visit with the vice president is a striking coincidence. It was the preceding Democratic administration that dragged the software giant to court in an antitrust case.
"There was no mention of the case. It was not on the agenda, and it did not come up," Terzano said. Ballmer and Cheney spoke about worker education, trade, privacy and tax policy, she said.
"It was strictly a courtesy call and an opportunity for them to talk about issues that are important to both Microsoft and the administration," Terzano said.
During last year's election campaign, Microsoft contributed thousands of dollars to both the Democratic and Republican sides. The Redmond, Wash., company also has spent heavily on lobbyists in Washington, D.C. - PeppermintPig, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Hrm, someone's digging you down??
No doubt, without respect for private property, there is no way you can have liberty. People must have authority over their own person, and have the liberty to determine who or what they hold to be sovereign for themselves (freedom of choice). The freedom to exchange is not exactly an exchange of 'rights'. My point is, assuming respect for the non-aggression principle, Capitalism may be considered merely a facet of freedom, a relatively imaginary demarcation, typically demonized by socialists because it has something to do with 'profits'. Most people engage in capitalism because they see a net benefit. Two people making a trade tend to see themselves increasing their wealth, which is why wealth is not a limited commodity. Centralized resource management by a government is not very efficient. Certainly not with taxation and fiat currency. Whether it's business related, recreational, or otherwise, you usually know what you need to get by better than anybody else, and especially better than a cookie cutter bureaucracy that would dictate your actions. - generalloy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Sys-con is semi-famous, it's not something no one has heard of.
I don't know if it's true or not.
MSFT like other large companies does have a lot of influence in the US gov't. - indiashinetoday, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Well Bill Gates is really a smart guy, he says If you can't make it Good, at least make it look Good. http://www.billgatesmicrosoft.com
- TimDigg, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Well in that case.......yea he's been slipping a bit lately......
- GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -3/+5No, not even Satan is willing to put up with it.
- ThomasOkken, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3The pop-ups on that page covered almost the entire content, a movie started playing almost immediately, and there was no obvious way to get rid of all that crap. Get rid of those annoyances and maybe I'll actually feel like *reading* what's underneath.
- generalloy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2Sys-con is pretty well known in the tech world
- mabhatter, on 10/10/2007, -0/+2a considerable portion of his worth is tied up in Microsoft stock. He's got several billion dollars on the line each day if the stock fluxuates more than a few dollars.
- lawmaker, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3I believe that after speaking about the need for evidence, you must have evidence for your assumption that this is, as you say, "FUD spread by ODF hackers....". Therefore, I challenge you to reveal _your_ evidence for this assumption.
- CoreyBaehman, on 10/10/2007, -1/+3Actually some Mexican dude is the richest.
Billy is the second richest. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2What's next? Invade Vietnam & China because Bill ain't getting some cash because of piracy?
This is stupid. I mean the article.... - generalloy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php/id;1801051668;pp;2;taxid;6
"
"We think this is absolutely the right result," said Tom Robertson, Microsoft's general manager for interoperability and standards, in a phone interview Wednesday. "We're optimistic about the ultimate outcome at ISO."
...
Robertson admitted that Microsoft has lobbied federal officials. But it's not the only one, he says.
"Did we talk to these three government entities? Yes, as did the people who are trying to block Open XML," he said. "The government made it clear that the decision they had to make was one that was fully-informed. Everything we said and did was simply to help inform their decision."
Robertson said that "Gates didn't engage in" these calls. He declined to comment on whether Ballmer was involved.
"
Microsoft manager of interoperability is like the Iraqi Information Minister. - generalloy, on 10/10/2007, -0/+1http://www.linuxworld.com.au/index.php?id=1801051668&rid=-50
"
"We think this is absolutely the right result," said Tom Robertson, Microsoft's general manager for interoperability and standards, in a phone interview Wednesday. "We're optimistic about the ultimate outcome at ISO.
There have been some claims that Microsoft has tried to influence the heads of these government agencies to support Open XML, with top executives including Chairman Bill Gates and CEO Steve Ballmer allegedly making calls themselves.
Robertson admitted that Microsoft has lobbied federal officials. But it's not the only one, he says.
"Did we talk to these three government entities? Yes, as did the people who are trying to block Open XML," he said. "The government made it clear that the decision they had to make was one that was fully-informed. Everything we said and did was simply to help inform their decision."
Robertson said that "Gates didn't engage in" these calls. He declined to comment on whether Ballmer was involved.
"
Microsoft manager of interoperability is like an Iraqi Information Minister. - caleb4mj, on 10/10/2007, -1/+2Saying that capitalism is a subset of freedom in general is not entirely accurate. The freedom to trade and produce as you put it comes from property rights which is the freedom to deny someone else of their freedom to steal your stuff. So capitalism requires the exchange of freedoms and the net result may not always equal more freedom. Since it is a chaotic system it would be possible to have more and less freedom under capitalism based entirely on your laws concerning property. Which is exactly what let them make everything illegal here in the freedom loving USA, btw.
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