[wellylug] Microsoft At WellyLUG last night.

[Centurion Computer Technology Ltd]

On Tue, 2005-07-12 at 20:54 +1200, Bret Comstock Waldow wrote:
> On Tue, 12 Jul 2005 20:35, Jethro Carr wrote:
> 
> > Did anyone ask them about the XML patent they are trying to push though
> > NZ court? DESPITE it getting THROWN OUT OF THE U.S.!!
> >
yep I did.  Brett gave a good explanation of their point of view.  I
don't agree with him but I can see where they are coming from.

> > But don't worry - since they want to be our friends now, maybe if we ask
> > them they'll let use use it.
Brett said it is available for use royalty free into perpetuity.  (I
don't guarantee this, if you are planning on using it check the T&C).
> >
> > forgive me for being paranoid, but it's just how I feel - something's
> > not right. Does anyone else feel disturbed about this??
> 
May be.  They came, they saw, they answered questions and asked
questions, I think they are just trying to see what is going on in
Wellington as far as Linux is concerned.  They probably have a hidden
agenda but so what.

> Microsoft was convicted in US Federal Court of breaking the law.  There is no 
> doubt about their approach to business - that's not a matter of opinion - it 
> is a matter of public record.  Not just rumored - convicted.
> 
> We know what their goal is - much the same as many other businesses.  We also 
> know the lengths they are willing to go to to reach their goals, unlike 
> honest people.

Could you honestly say that Microsoft is the only one.  Is an employee
automatically evil just by association?

Are you so honest? Don't you embellish the truth when it suits your
purposes.  Is it worse for them to do it just because they are bigger
and seem to get away with it?
> 
> Microsoft is a company of people - so were the businesses they illegally put 
> out of business.  This is public record - there is no need to pretend about 
> it.

Fletchers did the same thing.  Bought out companies, asset stripped them
and sacked most of the employees.
> 
> As far as I'm concerned, Microsoft employees are invited to quit and join 
> companies that are willing to do honest business - then I'll think well of 
> them too.  If my employer lies or cheats, I will call them on it - they are 
> lying to and cheating my neighbors - and I'll find a company that plays 
> straight - I won't help anyone lie.

Good luck finding the perfect employer, then don't go work for him
because you'll destroy that perfect workplace.

> Pretending doesn't change reality.  If you want things to go well, you have to 
> speak up and act when things don't go well.
> 
Or just go and do some work, rather than grizzle about the unfairness of
life.


I actually enjoyed the evening, doesn't mean I'm any less wary of
Microsoft.  Just means I have met with some of the NZ employees.  I'm
certainly not going to change my OS because of the evening.

I think they were very brave to turn up, and I respect them for that.

-- 
        Daniel Reurich
        Centurion Computer Technology (2005) Limited
        
        Ph: (04) 565 1832
        Mobile: (021) 797 722
            
        email: daniel at centurion.net.nz