MESSAGE
| DATE | 2003-02-09 |
| FROM | rc
|
| SUBJECT | Re: [hangout] Re: [novalug] Re: [fairuse] Re: E-Gov-OS conference
|
Being that this is a Marketing forum for Free Software intended to
Procure future Sales of good and services supplied by FS/OS companies,
having Microsoft there in any official function (anything more than an
exhibit spectator) is as Logical as--
M$ inviting a FS rep to accompany them on a sales pitch.
Absolutely Laughable
Why would anyone Let the competition sit in on marketing and sales
meetings/pitches with a potential customer??? Seems ludacris to me.
If you want to take the high road with MS just "respectfully decline"
their request to: listen in on our strategic sales pitches and strategy
discussions, dilute our networking and relationship building
opportunities (with our largest potential customer/market), and take
insight on their number one threat.
They have plenty of chances to tell their story. This is supposed to be
about Free and Open software good and services in government. If they
are so interested, tell them to buy a ticket.
--just my 2.5 cents
~rc
On Sunday 09 February 2003 08:01 pm, Ruben Safir wrote:
> On Sun, Feb 09, 2003 at 07:47:42PM -0500, Seth J. Blank wrote:
> > What is wrong with providing Microsoft a place to speak in an open
> > source forum?
>
> What's wrong with excluding them. Their not relevent to the
> conference and have nothing to contribute.
>
> > Aside from not wanting to sink to their level and silence opposing
> > views (remember, open source is about the inclusion of ideas, not
> > their exclusion), let us consider what would happen if Microsoft
> > spoke.
>
> Open Source is not silensing them just because they're not qualified
> to present at the conference. Open Source is just making responsible
> decisions on how to use our limited resources. They can and do talk
> all the time.
>
> > It seems to me that there are only two outcomes of Microsoft
> > speaking, namely that they would make fools of themselves, or that
> > people would buy into their FUD.
> >
> > The first circumstance, while welcome, would probably not happen.
> > So let's concentrate on people buying into MS's FUD.
>
> It's a waste of precious resources to fight MS FUD in an event
> designed to market Free Software to governments. And therefor, MS
> should be excluded.
>
> > If the members of the forum
> > cannot contradict Microsoft and allay people's fears, then perhaps
> > the open source movement has more to worry about than Microsoft
> > speaking in one of their forums.
> >
> > Also, your assertion that Microsoft is evil and should be shunned
> > at any computer forum in general is unfounded and irrelevant.
>
> Actually, it would be more correct to charactorize MS as evil than
> pretend they are a responsible corperate citizen.
>
> MS has been convicted TWICE for antitrust activity, and has thwarted
> economic developement. They have inihibited community developement
> with their monopolistic activities, and is working on DRM which would
> end Free Software on the Intel platform. They have repeatedly
> twarted peoples right to innovate, and start witch hunts with the
> BSA.
>
> How else can they be described better than Evil?
>
> Is Criminal and Anti-Social a better description?
>
> > Idealistic, but
> > irrelevant. Microsoft isn't going anywhere, and ignoring it or
> > calling it names does nothing to change this.
>
> Ignoring them is fine. It's the best tactic. Let MS rail away but
> they should have no position in a Free Software event of any kind.
>
> > It is best to invite them to forums, hear
> > them out, and then correct them.
>
> No - the community has better things to do. If they want a debate,
> NY Fair Use can sponsor one for them.
>
> > Showing people how Microsoft is wrong --
>
> That's also a waste of time. Showing them how Free Software is right
> is a better use of time. They're just like North Korea. They'd do
> anything to gain your attention. Screwem...let them talk to the wall
> until they earn a place at the table.
--
The Microsoft Crackpipe - Everyone uses it, what harm could it be?
Version: 3.12
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____________________________
New Yorker Free Software Users Scene
Fair Use -
because it's either fair use or useless....
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