____/ Mark Kent on Saturday 29 September 2007 17:29 : \____
> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>> ____/ High Plains Thumper on Saturday 29 September 2007 11:45 : \____
>>
>>> Doug Mentohl wrote:
>>>> Tim MS apologist Smith wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Do you also object when Google does this? Or do you think Microsoft
>>>>> is the only computer company that hires lobbyists?
>>>>
>>>> No other software company has corrupted the political process to the
>>>> extent that Microsoft has. So much for competing in the market place
>>>> with integrated-innovation.
>>>>
>>>>
http://consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=20061128161343183
>>>
>>> I thought these statements from the article rather interesting:
>>>
>>> [quote]
>>> Certainly Louis Gutierrez and Steve Lewis are both politically savvy, and
>>> more than well versed on the technology needs of state government. And one
>>> lobbyist will not be able to compel any final decision. But I am
>>> disappointed that our new governor would appoint someone to a group that
>>> will be advising him on technology decisions ? including regarding ODF ?
>>> that is a lobbyist for a vendor that has campaigned intensively in
>>> Massachusetts, and is now campaigning worldwide, against adoption of a
>>> standard that threatens to undermine its multi-billion franchise in office
>>> software.
>>>
>>> A new administration needs to earn a reputation for independence from
>>> special interests, and adding a lobbyist to an advisory group is a strange
>>> way to embark upon that process, especially after Peter Quinn was pilloried
>>> in the press over unfounded questions about travel expenses. Although I'm
>>> told that Burke announced yesterday at the first meeting of the new working
>>> group that he will be participating as a private citizen rather than a
>>> Microsoft employee, I believe that Burke should recuse himself from
>>> participating in any discussions or recommendations relating to document
>>> format standards.
>>> [/quote]
>>>
>>> The good thing about ODF is that it gives everyone even footing, even
>>> Microsoft. Government needs to consider the needs of its industries and
>>> open competition. Open competition gives the best products for the job at
>>> the best prices. Without reasonable competition (at least 10 competitors),
>>> all suffer.
>>>
>>>> Remember where they got Peter Quinn for advocating ODF ..
>>>>
>>>>
>>
http://web.archive.org/web/20070211151916/http://www.cio.com/archive/040106/opensource.html?page=1
>>>
>>> Yes, unfortunately dirty politics seems to be more important than fair and
>>> reasonable. It is not the first time something like this has happened.
>>
>> Nobody will forget what happened in Massachusetts, the home of Free
>> software. We have it all very well recorded. Microsoft corruption at its
>> best.
>>
>
> Well, we had people like Erik F and Billwg here arguing for years in
> denial of the illegal actions which Microsoft used against, for example,
> DRDOS, but in the end, the truth came out, and was published. In this
> case, we have the history so well documented at the time that it will be
> impossible for a new generation of deniers to be paid to do this with
> anything remotely resembling even a minor hint of credibility in the
> future.
>
> Microsoft might have to try to compete on merit. Now wouldn't that be a
> thing?
I've used some of Doug's good posts to summarise some point here:
http://boycottnovell.com/2007/08/03/do-dos-odf-microsoft-sabotage/
Posted another one on this topic the following day.
Shocking stuff.
--
~~ Best of wishes
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