MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-02-09 |
| FROM | Ruben Safir
|
| SUBJECT | Subject: [hangout] Re: [novalug] Re: [fairuse] Re: E-Gov-OS conference
|
> When someone says something that you don't like you can either censor them to
> stop them from saying it or have increased discussion about what was said so
> that the truth about it can come through.
>
No
I'm sorry but you are wrong on all the points. First of all, it is not
censorship to select a better vendor to discuss the importance of
the government to use Free Software. It's not an issue that Microsoft
might say somethign you don't like. It is an issue is a not a player
in the Free Software business world, and that they have acted repeatedly
in an anticompetitive way, often criminally.
In addition, this conference is not a debate, but a presentation on
Open Sourced and Free Software oppurtunities for governments.
> I don't see how pretending that Microsoft doesn't exist on a selective basis
> is going to further anything.
Pretending that Microsoft is a player in the Open Source market is not furthing
anything. Allowing them to speak serves no purpose at this conference, since
they are not a free Software or Open Source company. In fact, they clearly
say this in the Orielly Article by there 'Shared Source' marketing executive.
Nobody is preventing them from buying a ticket, just like anyone else in the
public and attending the confernce. They should not be given preferential
treatment and be sat on a pannel with real Free Software vendors.
>
> There will always be some clueless people that go to tradeshows and fall for
> the marketing and propaganda of various vendors. Microsoft clearly knows this
> and is attempting to get everyone with it.
>
So? More the reason not to include them.
They are attempting to confuse the issues and the points.
> But their presence is also a tremendously appropriate context for people that
> don't know any better to ask "What do you think of the Microsoft products in
> booth 13?" At that point you've got the exact venue and audience to address
> Microsoft's evils.
>
Are there boths? They shouldn't have a booth either since they are not a
Free Software vendor.
You do not make any reasonable arguement for saying, "But their presence
is also a tremendously appropriate context". In this context, they're
presense is inappropiate. Tyson Chickens would have more to contribute than
Microsoft.
> The audience is listening, they're interested and you have to be optimistic
> and respectful that they'll be able to figure out who is telling the truth.
There is no basis for a positive outcome or optimism. MS's ability to
confuse users and purchases is consistant, broad and proven. In addition,
they're an illegal monopoly. As such, it is morally impertitive for
Open Source and Free Software community to not injure the public more
by giving MS a platform.
>
> If you really want to do what is right, then *compete* on software products,
> customer support, pro-consumer licensing and beat Microsoft on all the things
> that are supposed to count.
>
Competeing on products is only PART of the reason why it is important for
Government to adopt Free Software. There is also a political component
which becomes harder to understand when MS is oscuring the arguments with
its marketing department.
In addition, the best way for FS vendors to compete is to keep the program
clean from MS PR. They can buy another TV canpain.
You should read the Feb 17th issue of Forbes magazine on China and MS. The
Article on page 78 outlines how China had curbed Microsofts aggreesssive and
anti-competitive behavior by refusing to conceed to them when they mis-behave.
The 'Shared Source' campain by MS is such a misbehavior and it is most important
to learn from the Chinese and not reward MS for bad behavior.
Ruben
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