By silicon.com, 11 June 2004 17:35
Microsoft has bent over backwards to present itself as reasonable when it comes to the proprietary versus open-source software debate - at least until recently.
'Linux is a great competitor but we think we do a better job' is the standard line coming out of Redmond. This is a fine and sensible stance for any commercial enterprise – so why this talk of 'jihad' at Microsoft's Get the Facts road show?
At said event, which is intended to convince the world that Windows is as cheap and secure as its open-source rival, a Microsoft exec got up in front of a crowd of journalists and described the anti-Microsoft feelings of Linux supporters as a "jihad".
It's not the first time Microsoft has had a political dig at Linux. The partly Microsoft-funded Alexis de Tocqueville institution brought out a report claiming Linux is less secure than Windows and therefore any government agency using it is threatening national security.
SCO – which has links to Redmond – made similar noises recently, saying in a letter to Congress that open source "has the potential to apply our nation's enemies or potential enemies with computing capabilities that are restricted by US law".
It's not a good look for Microsoft – the world's biggest software company can't be seen both to be embracing the challenge of Linux while at the same time using such inflammatory terms as 'jihad' when discussing its rival.
The Linux community is undeniably passionate about its chosen operating system – for some, it almost approaches a religion - and Microsoft-bashing does form a part of that for many.
But that's not who Microsoft should be trying to persuade - those people will never be won over to the Microsoft cause, no matter how many road shows and studies are put in front of them.
It's the software platform-agnostic businesspeople mulling over which OS to choose for their commercial applications that Microsoft should be after – and using pejorative language certainly won't help to accomplish that goal.
Businesspeople are precisely the type who aren't interested in ideological arguments. They want to know what's cost-effective, reliable and effective in a corporate environment – not whether or not they can bring down 'an evil empire' by tinkering with a few lines of code.
If anything, Microsoft's behaviour at the road show reveals that the company feels threatened by the penguin party – and business can smell fear from a mile away.
If Microsoft really wants to convince people that its software is so great, it should stick to doing what it does best – making products for a mass market and pouring advertising money into telling the world about them.
Comments
There are 9 comments. Join the discussion
1. Jeanette Rosalyn
Excellent point. I have seen quotes from Microsoft calling linux a "cancer" and "anti-american" as well. As a Windows user for going on 10 years now, I have to say I am extremely disappointed in Microsoft. I may not use Linux now, and may never in the future, but I am finding it more and more difficult to support Microsoft when I see the kinds of actions they have taken against a group of people who are trying to provide some much needed competition in the OS industry.
2. baris
It is not good to say "jihad" word for such kind of software war. Because Jihad word is used in Islamic Religion for making war in the name of God. Using such kind of advertisement words will not give Microsoft a good fortune, Since it is ridiculous. They must change their image makers.
3. Ajaz Poswall
What do think the Microsoft Marketing dept storming would have been like? Lets call Linux Nazi's? no too obvious... Commies? well they are our friends now, Muslims.. the evil Arabs etc etc Ah Jihad war.... now that'll get the US behind us! (cue hope n glory) flag slowly rises....
Perfect!
I've never been really been anti Microsoft, but this recent stunt I totally understand why people are starting to turn against them.
4. Mike Barnes
I think the point Microsoft was trying to make is that there are some people who support Linux with a religious zeal and see the proprogation of Linux as a crusade. I understood what Microsoft meant when they used the word 'jihad' and it wasn't Linux = Muslim = Arab. And I hope I haven't offended anyone with the use of the word crusade.
5. denis Johnson
I read some idiots posting non-sense comments against Arabs and Muslims. Do yourself a favour and learn about Arabs and Muslims, try not to live as arrogant on the earth. Ignorant people always make jokes and fun of things they have no knowledge of however they themselves are the fools, but know not.
the word “Jihad” means to struggle against oppression and falsehood.
By making jokes of things one has no knowledge of is indeed a fool and fools do not reflect upon thing seriously.
6. Goten Xiao
Personally, I think they're getting desperate. More and more holes are found in Windows, more and more advertising gets out from Linux. Bill is soiling himself over what Linux could do to his profit margin; quite a lot of Linux distros can be downloaded off the web for zero cost - how do you undermine nothing (beside paying people to take your software)?
And considering that Linux normally ships with around 100 different apps or even fully featured application SUITES, at no extra cost, it's undermining the whole of Microsoft's line in one fell swoop.
The problem is that once people have been using something for a long time, it takes a long time to get them out of it.
Example: all the engineering regulatory groups change the specifcation for screws so they use some random polygonal shape rather than a standard flat-blade or Phillips head - how many existing products already use the normal type of screw, and how many use the new type?
Some people just say "swap over to Linux". That's easy enough for a one or two user system (ie one PC) but if you're talking about replacing all of the Microsoft software in a big office building with Linux software, you're going to have problems. The staff won't know how to use it, etc etc.
Wine is a shining star in this area though - it gets better and better each release, with support for many Windows games and office apps already (last I checked I think they had over 5000 apps in their Application Database). This means little-or-no retraining cost, or even a very gradual phase-in of OpenOffice or somesuch thing.
Anyway, I digress. Microsoft are scared of competition. Linux aren't really, because they can survive on donations and CD sales.
7. Drew Edgar
"Following the Accountancy businesses"
This sort of bitching is precicely what the big Accountancy firms (and their trade associations)have been engaging in this last 25 years or so. Where has it got them?
It's got them to
(1) turn away from core competencies,
(2) drop recruitment and operating standards in a bid for expansion,
(3) "lowball" their market offerings as loss leaders in order to "break into" other markets such as Management Consultancy where they lack the necessary independence, qualifications and competence.
The result of the thorough lack of professionalism exhibited by the big firms is consequently mirrored by the utter lack of esteem in which they are now held and subsequently the legislation enacted to curb their activities and remedy the losses suffered as a result of their unethical and improper conduct.
If Bill & Co follow this path and do not emphasise consumer support and innovation, then eventually we can expect the public and the market to react accordingly!
8. Kamran
It's radiculas to use the term Jihad. Jihad is a islamic word which means to defend the country against enemies, such kind of words shows the racism of person.
9. anonymous
Belief in God is irrational and separated from reasoned debate and civil conduct in developed societies. Using a word describing irrational acts based on craft/unsubstantiated religious belief such as Jihad is fine in modern societies, it is also very descriptive of what is happening. Get into the 21st Century and out of your mediaeval beliefs. We can use Inquisition and crusade as a joke, get over yourselves or stay in the Third World and out of the EC.