Jaco’s Random Writings

So I caught an article off of Slashdot regarding some of Microsoft’s business dealings. Now, it’s not a surprise at all that Microsoft is once again at war with OSS. In fact, they never stopped fighting OSS. They just moved the fight behind closed doors. But it would appear that the fight has broken out into the public sphere once again.

Microsoft as of late has been trying to pass off an appearance of reaching out to OSS projects and trying to support them (I recommend reading the replies to that letter). But don’t be fooled; Microsoft hasn’t changed its colors since the days of its lawsuit against Linux. They’ve just changed their tactics.

Microsoft’s tactics are the same as those of Big Oil, Big Tobacco, and just about every other large corporation in America lobbying congress for laws. However, the extent to which they’ve been bullying and subverting both government and other companies shows that there is no low that Microsoft with Balmer at its head isn’t willing to stoop down to.

I hold the belief that it is possible to do good business but still be able to do it ethically. But that requires hard work, smart marketing, and a good product. But cutting corners is a slippery slope that once a company starts going down, will find it difficult to keep itself from sliding further and further into the dark realm of sub-par products, unethical business deals, and corrupting politicians.

While I am happy that Microsoft finally got its act together with marketing (may actually be releasing a good OS soon), I cannot help but feel that good news tainted with the poison caused by their unethical behavior and perpetuation of “dirty business”.