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Then Open Source needs to start preempting MS
Thus far open source, not in every instance but for the most part, has been cloning proprietary products. Some open source apps are better than their proprietary counterparts, but for the most part they cloned their counterparts and added a few nice features that the proprietary folk overlooked, mostly due to lack of competition (for instance, compare Konqueror or Mozilla to IE). I guess I don't need to further convince you on this as it seems to be one of your biggest complaints with OSS. Without something they can't call their own, MS doesn't see OSS as having enough leverage to dictate anything to them. So of course MS will come around and use its clout to dictate what OSS can do.

But now that OSS has some real corporate backing, there is no reason why they should sit back and let Microsoft dictate the pace. Now some projects like KDE and K3b (a CD burner) have done some really nice things that others haven't, but they are really very minor advancements in the grand scheme of things. But there is no reason why OOo or Gnome or MPlayer or any of the other good desktop projects can't get some financial backing from an IBM and actually innovate something, something that can be patented (even though they might hate the idea) and use as leverage against Microsoft.

OSS needs to start being aggressive if they are to take on such an aggressive competitor. Using the GPL as a shield does help a project to gain traction among cerain crowds, but in the long run a project must be aggressively making their product better, offer better service, and yes, even advertise. The larger projects and their leaders need to persuade IBM, HP, Dell, and other large OSS backers to help them financially and strategically to protect them against MS's onslaught of patents and creative licences.
Posted by: Michael Kelly   Posted on: 04/15/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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Now did that hurt anybody? And, is it complete?  oldskool | 04/15/04
Good for everyone,,,, except Open Source.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
On OOo, yes... on StarOffice, no  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
Star Office is not open source...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
What's broken in this thinking is its not OSS that's shut out -  oldskool | 04/15/04
Problem is MS only has one hand  Jay Cash | 04/15/04
True, that's why users love MS products.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
This is not a Microsoft problem  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
Sorry, I have to disagree.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Users did not make Office the standard!  oldskool | 04/15/04
So then how is it...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Why is it then that...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Well????  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Users did not make Office the standard!  seosamh_z | 04/15/04
You "Office makes the world go round" guys are too funny  oldskool | 04/16/04
Then Open Source needs to start preempting MS  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
How can open source...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
A couple things...  Michael Kelly | 04/15/04
Balmer answered this question himself  oldskool | 04/15/04
Then Open Source needs to start preempting MS  seosamh_z | 04/15/04
100% spot on.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Nonsense, R&D costs IBM on every platform!  oldskool | 04/15/04
Say what?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Ya gotta admit, MS would be awsome if they focused!  oldskool | 04/15/04
Actually, it's easier than that  IT_User | 04/15/04
BSD is Open Source  Yagotta B. Kidding | 04/15/04
When you "close the door"  Jay Cash | 04/15/04
True, I always...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
What does Linus T. say about it?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
MS may actually benefit the industry  IT_User | 04/15/04
Interesting and thoughtful post.  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Yes but..  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Doesn't bitty ever get tired of hearing himself crow?  Spam-ZD | 04/16/04
GPL not tested in court???  IT_User | 04/16/04
Patent wars?  IT_User | 04/16/04
Whoa, back up a couple of feet.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
this has nothing to do with open source  V Sanders | 04/15/04
Mountain out of a molehill, as usual, Axe...  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Unless you get caught of course.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Huh??  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
I was talking about your example.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Even so.....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Wrong...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Explain that one to me please....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
From Microsoft's web site:  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Did that explain it Jose?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Yeah, here's your license.....  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
So you agree, you must have a license.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
I never said you didn't  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
So your claim...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Is this where you smugly claim to have won the debate?  Jose Jimenez | 04/15/04
Don't be so hard on No_Ax...  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
What has that to do with the discusion..  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
Just helpiing your arguement about the evils of Open Source  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
There did that help your little ego?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No ego involved here, not even needed!  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
Daid the little one that can't post without insults.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No_Ax, is that the best you can do?  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
NO, I can't come close to your insultive behaviour.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 04/15/04
No_Ax, a quick serach on google will show that you have gone farther!  B.O.F.H. | 04/15/04
isn't that like stalking  V Sanders | 04/15/04

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