2008-05-17

Ballmer: We'll outsmart open source

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-959112.html

"Linux is a serious competitor," said Ballmer. "We have to compete with free software, on value, but in a smart way. We cannot price at zero, so we need to justify our posture and pricing. Linux isn't going to go away--our job is to provide a better product in the marketplace."

And Thomas Lee said about "most valued professionals" on Microsoft platform:

The [MVP] title is highly regarded. "You are recognized by your peers, not by an exam that you can cheat in." Linux and its community have a symbiotic relationship, he said: "You don't have that same thing at Microsoft, but there are people who are passionate and technical who are committed to doing a great job."


In FOSS, such people are called Hackers, or the White Hats (compare with Black Hat).

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Please read over the original interview again, Thomas Lee (an MCT) actually made the second statement that you note as Ballmer.

Ballmer isn't that bright..... Thomas is. I should know, I worked for Ballmer and with Thomas during those very years in which the original interviews were conducted

SirYes said...

Corrected that. Thanks!