Re:NO WAY ! Make a blacklist of Anti-Linux vendors
Posted by: Anonymous Coward
on August 17, 2004 04:06 PM
I'm assuming you haven't read The Art of War. To quote (possibly not exactly, but pretty close)
"One bushel of enemy grain is worth ten of one's own. It is far better to take an enemy state intact, rather than destroying it."
And from the 48 Laws of Power:- "Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter."
For their sake and ours, we should do everything we can to convert people within these companies to being sympathetic towards Linux. If we have to ostracise anyone, it would most likely only be the senior command structure, and even in that case, probably only Microsoft.
Many of the rank and file members of these corporations however are not decisive thinkers themselves in other areas, but may still be extremely talented and experienced programmers. This is talent and experience which the Linux movement can utilise. I'm sure there are a large number of people from Microsoft in particular who could be of tremendous help with regards to UI development and other such areas. In the case of Windows in particular, the underlying mechanics might be the proverbial steaming pile, but purely in terms of UI, from focus groups and market research, MS *do* have experience in knowing what the lowest common denominator anyway do and do not want.
Also in terms of ZDNet/CNet in particular, this company has a herd mentality. They will back whatever/whoever they think their audience wants to read about, and who/whatever they think will generate dependable revenue for them. If they can be convinced that Linux and companies that deal in Linux will do that, they'll switch to reporting primarily about Linux and any Microsoft bias that might exist will evaporate.
Companies exist to make money. The only reason why they've adopted the old way of thinking for as long as they have is because they want to make money, and they want to do so as dependably and predictably as possible. All we need to do is convince them that Linux is *not* a threat to their livelihoods (and it really doesn't need to be) and they will start working for us rather than against us. As I said earlier, some of the people in the companies you've listed would have incredibly valuable expertise. We need to get them on side.
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Re:NO WAY ! Make a blacklist of Anti-Linux vendors
Posted by: Anonymous Coward on August 17, 2004 04:06 PM"One bushel of enemy grain is worth ten of one's own. It is far better to take an enemy state intact, rather than destroying it."
And from the 48 Laws of Power:-
"Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter."
For their sake and ours, we should do everything we can to convert people within these companies to being sympathetic towards Linux. If we have to ostracise anyone, it would most likely only be the senior command structure, and even in that case, probably only Microsoft.
Many of the rank and file members of these corporations however are not decisive thinkers themselves in other areas, but may still be extremely talented and experienced programmers. This is talent and experience which the Linux movement can utilise. I'm sure there are a large number of people from Microsoft in particular who could be of tremendous help with regards to UI development and other such areas. In the case of Windows in particular, the underlying mechanics might be the proverbial steaming pile, but purely in terms of UI, from focus groups and market research, MS *do* have experience in knowing what the lowest common denominator anyway do and do not want.
Also in terms of ZDNet/CNet in particular, this company has a herd mentality. They will back whatever/whoever they think their audience wants to read about, and who/whatever they think will generate dependable revenue for them. If they can be convinced that Linux and companies that deal in Linux will do that, they'll switch to reporting primarily about Linux and any Microsoft bias that might exist will evaporate.
Companies exist to make money. The only reason why they've adopted the old way of thinking for as long as they have is because they want to make money, and they want to do so as dependably and predictably as possible. All we need to do is convince them that Linux is *not* a threat to their livelihoods (and it really doesn't need to be) and they will start working for us rather than against us. As I said earlier, some of the people in the companies you've listed would have incredibly valuable expertise. We need to get them on side.
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