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Why Microsoft fears Open Source (in their own words)

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zridling:
For some interesting reading, check out what Microsoft says its risk factors are against Open Source software. This is from the opening paragragh:

Our business model has been based upon customers paying a fee to license software that we developed and distributed.... In recent years certain "open source" software business models have evolved into a growing challenge to our license-based software model.... A number of commercial firms compete with us using an open source business model by modifying and then distributing open source software to end users at nominal cost and earning revenue on complementary services and products. These firms do not have to bear the full costs of research and development for the software.... the popularization of the open source software model continues to pose a significant challenge to our business model, including continuing efforts by proponents of open source software to convince governments worldwide to mandate the use of open source software in their purchase and deployment of software products. To the extent open source software gains increasing market acceptance, sales of our products may decline, we may have to reduce the prices we charge for our products, and revenue and operating margins may consequently decline.... While we believe the breadth of our businesses and product portfolio offers benefits to our customers that are a competitive advantage, our [Open Source] competitors that are focused on a narrower product line may be more effective in devoting technical, marketing, and financial resources to compete with us.
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That seems about right. I wonder though, if in ten years office software will still be as central to our work as it is today.

Edvard:
FTW!!!11!!!1! ;D ;D

app103:
And then there is this classic from 1976 written by Bill Gates himself.

Who can afford to do professional work for nothing? What hobbyist can put 3-man
years into programming, finding all bugs, documenting his product and distribute for free? The fact is, no one besides us has invested a lot of money in hobby software.
--- End quote ---

Lashiec:
Open Letter to Hobbyists, isn't it?

I answered in your blog, Zaine. Though it could be a more elaborate answer...

f0dder:
app103: and then you look at the general program, code and documentation quality of most open sores software... and you realize that what Bill wrote still holds true today :)

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