Posted by: Howard B. Golden
on July 21, 2004 12:38 AM
Galik, good point about the MAD clause!
Perhaps RMS was thinking several moves ahead in the game.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)
This is total war. I believe IBM realizes this.
You may find the war metaphor implausible. However, IMO, there is no peaceful coexistence with Microsoft as ego-multiplier for Bill Gates. As much as companies hate to fight, I believe the fight is inevitable. Companies will have to choose sides, either for MS or against. There will be no room for neutrals.
I don't put IBM on a pedestal as the paragon of corporate morality. I've been around a long time, and I know that IBM knew how to use monopoly power when it had it. However, in this case, I believe that IBM will be FOSS's ally, not because of superior morality (though, IMO, IBM has improved a great deal), but because IBM has no other choice.
(Full disclosure: I own approx. 20 shares of IBM stock. However, all views I've expressed are mine alone, which I've formed by watching IBM's behavior over 35 years and Microsoft's behavior over 28 years.)
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Re:IBM won't capitulate IMO
Posted by: Howard B. Golden on July 21, 2004 12:38 AMPerhaps RMS was thinking several moves ahead in the game.<nobr> <wbr></nobr>;-)
This is total war. I believe IBM realizes this.
You may find the war metaphor implausible. However, IMO, there is no peaceful coexistence with Microsoft as ego-multiplier for Bill Gates. As much as companies hate to fight, I believe the fight is inevitable. Companies will have to choose sides, either for MS or against. There will be no room for neutrals.
I don't put IBM on a pedestal as the paragon of corporate morality. I've been around a long time, and I know that IBM knew how to use monopoly power when it had it. However, in this case, I believe that IBM will be FOSS's ally, not because of superior morality (though, IMO, IBM has improved a great deal), but because IBM has no other choice.
(Full disclosure: I own approx. 20 shares of IBM stock. However, all views I've expressed are mine alone, which I've formed by watching IBM's behavior over 35 years and Microsoft's behavior over 28 years.)
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