Microsoft muscled in on Linux debate in Jordan

LINUX.COM carries an interesting piece today from some Linux evangelist called Robin 'Roblimo' Miller, who had the job of speaking at a Microsoft-sponsored Open Source Software Workshop held earlier this month in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Our hero was up against a pair of Microsofties who, he says, "talked nothing but bad about Open Source, Linux, and Free Software." He adds:" They even trotted out lines from the legal disclaimer the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires Red Hat to show potential investors about possible patent lawsuits regarding Linux as "proof" that Linux is not safe for businesses to use, while neglecting to note that Microsoft's own prospectus contains similarly dolorous language about one aspect or another of the company's chances for future growth and prosperity."

Rob goes on a bit but his piece here helps to reveal how Microsoft is on the offensive in all corners of the globe and has the bare-faced cheek to suggest even in poor countries that its over priced bloated and inherently insecure operating system is a better and more cost effective option that and open-source Linux.

Speakers at the gathering were warned, says Rob "not to directly knock Microsoft; that there had been complaints about negativity toward this fine conference sponsor."

Rob says he was "tempted to tell our hosts that if they talked strongly enough about supporting Linux and Open Source, they might be able to get substantial donations from Microsoft and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. But I held my tongue… "

Anyhow we checked Rob out my wibbling on over to his vanity site here.

It's the sort of site that makes an Englishman blush, what with plugging some dodgy looking book and stuff, but Rob's singular crusade against spam is wonderful and we think it should be legally binding. Thanks Rob. Here it is:

Much though I love receiving unsolicited bulk email, I am now so overwhelmed by the number of people who want me to look at their bulk email offerings that I am forced to charge $50 for each unsolicited bulk email I receive, plus an additional $50 fee per email for HTML or attachments, charged on your behalf to your ISP if you do not pay within 30 days or, in the case of non-US companies or individuals, to your country's US embassy. I also charge $50 for testing your "unsubscribe" utility, which is a great bargain since so few of them work, and I know you want yours to operate properly.

Please don't claim I "opted in" or "subscribed" to your bulk email. I didn't, and don't try to claim I did, because we both know you're lying. If you bought an "opt in" list with my email address on it, you got cheated. No one has permission to sell my personal information. Indeed, if you sell/sold any of my personal information, including my email address, as part of a contact database without my written permission, you must pay me a $5 royalty per copy sold, minimum $500, and you should inform any email list vendor who sold you my contact information that they owe me money, too.

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