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[News] Microsoft Still Hides Away Linux and Free Software from [Me/In]dia

Is Free Software the future of India? Steve Ballmer CEO of Microsoft
answers...

,----[ Quote ]
| Taking care not to use the word(s) "Free software", Mr Ballmer
| conceded that a number of revenue streams including those by
| selling hardware, internet connectivity and software are important.
| He went on to say, "As rich and good be bridging the digital divide,
| software companies should look forward to three or four sources of
| income. Many revenues for software companies will come from not any
| one thing but will include subscription fees, lower cost hardware,
| advertising and of course traditional transaction (read
| proprietary software)". He does agree that "prices must come
| down" though it was plain to see him take care not to use the word
| "FREE" in his answer.
| 
| Another question that was posed to him was "Is bridging the rural
| divide all about money ?". Mr Ballmer answered by saying "It is
| not not about money but also not about short term profits". Ins
| hort Microsoft is looking for long term profits.
| 
| [...]
| 
| Watching the talk show, I could not help thinking that Microsoft
| is more or less resigned to the fact that Open Source and Free
| Software is here to stay. And what ever one might do, you cannot
| easily wish it away. If you can't beat them, join them is the new
| mantra at Microsoft. The recent news of Microsoft's acquisition
| (sic) of (Um... partnership with) Novell being a case to the point.
| But I was left with the feeling that Microsoft needs to be honest
| and more outright in acknowledging the very important part that
| Free Software and Linux plays in the over all big picture in IT.
`----

http://linuxhelp.blogspot.com/2006/11/is-free-software-future-of-india-steve.html

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