Who does the best marketing of the open source and Linux movements? At the moment it is probably Microsoft itself. The Redmond software giant is doing everything in its power, it seems, to alienate as many of its clients as possible, leaving the door gapingly open for the alternative Linux operating system.
And I`m not the only one who believes this because just about everyone you talk to in the industry is bemoaning the increasing costs of carrying Microsoft software and resents the high-handed, domineering position occupied by the company.
Microsoft is doing a great job of alienating its users
Alastair Otter, Journalist, ITWeb
Take, for example, the current licensing changes. Yesterday was the deadline for companies to sign over to the new Licensing 6.0, or Software Assurance, programme. Today, if you haven`t signed up your ticket is invalid and there is no going back.
A quick snap survey of companies indicates that while most larger corporations are begrudgingly planning to absorb the additional costs the new licensing scheme will bring with it, smaller companies are less happy, many of them looking at hefty licence fee increases in the coming months and software becoming an increasingly large expense on their budget.
The argument is that Software Assurance will give companies the benefit of keeping up to date with the latest software without paying for each and every release. Of course you pay a pretty price up front for the benefit of not spending more later on. It also flattens Microsoft`s income stream significantly. Instead of the highs and lows of seasonal and new release-based sales, the company benefits from a steady income stream revenue and assures that its customers are tied up for as long as possible.
Then take the costs of software and compare it with the many other offerings on the market. In particular Microsoft Office. Depending on which version you buy it is going to set you back a good couple of thousand rand, or more. Then take StarOffice, which sells for less than half of that if you buy it from Sun, or for nothing if you download the OpenOffice.org version which is every bit the same product.
In the past StarOffice has been a bit of a dud, but with version 6.0 and OpenOffice 1.0, it is a hefty competitor. With this in mind, companies have to start asking whether the Microsoft route is the right route. Particularly because the Microsoft-headed Business Software Alliance is increasingly active on the piracy front, and is always ready to pounce on businesses that step even slightly out of line.
As much as Microsoft denies Linux is a worthy competitor, it is increasingly starting to show signs of cracking. It is also making sure that as many people as possible start to think about the alternatives. And for that the open source movement should be thanking them.
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