[ale] OT: Re: posting to Linux mail list

[Geoffrey]

I'll let you know.  I'll give you my perspective.  I personally see 
Microsoft as a marketing company that tries to write software.  You'll 
not get a lot of pleasant responses from me or, I suspect from this group.

What Microsoft does not understand is that many intelligent folks do not 
like the way you (Microsoft) do business.  So, it would not matter much 
if Microsoft were to make better products.  Your exclusionary 
contractual efforts alienate many folks.  I dislike your products 
because they are lousy.  I hate Microsoft because of the way they do 
business.  There's a huge difference in dislike and hate.

The problem is, Microsoft misses the larger issue.  You folks need to 
focus on doing business right, then worry about making your products 
better.  You want help?  Publish the formats of the Office documents so 
that Microsoft can truly provide an opportunity for competition.  Quit 
locking technologies into your platform and locking others out.  Why 
would anyone want to provide you people any assistance when you don't 
reciprocate?  Are you folks really that clueless?

I personally would love to see Microsoft crash and burn, and am looking 
forward to it.  So, you'll not get any assistance from me.  We'll see 
what the balance of the group thinks...

Oh, by the way.  Many folks think of Linux users as young college 
hackers with nothing better to do.  I personally spent 26 years with 
AT&T, 5 of which were with the Labs.  Extensive software development 
experience.  I have since left AT&T and have started my own consulting 
business.  Doing my best to educate people regarding their choices of 
products.  Just finished setting up a Linux file server for a property 
management company that had been an all Microsoft shop. The are looking 
very hard at Linux desktops with OpenOffice.  It will save them a lot of 
money and a lot of headaches.

For those of you on the ALE list, feel free to let Mr. Surkan know how 
you would like to assist Microsoft in extending their monopoly...

Michael Surkan wrote:
> I am a program manager in the Microsoft networking group, doing some
> research around how we can improve our operating systems. My goal is to
> help us identify capabilities, improvements, and features that Microsoft
> should be focusing on to help our customers over the next 5 years or so.
> I am particularly interested in hearing from Linux users, and get their
> input about what they feel should be priorities.
> 
>  
> 
> I was wondering if you would mind if I posted a message on your Linux
> mailing list (ale at ale.org) asking for feedback? I want to ask for people
> to e-mail me directly if they would be interested in taking an on-line
> survey I have put together (sorry, I don't want to post the survey URL
> directly to the public).
> 
>  
> 
> If you don't feel this is an appropriate use of your list, that's fine.
> Of course, I am always eager to hear your thoughts if you wanted to
> share them. :-)
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Michael Surkan
> 
>  
> 
> P.S. If it's ok for me to post to your distribution list, what is the
> best way I should do that? Is there an e-mail address you recommend I
> use?
> 
>  
> 
> http://www.ale.org/mailman/listinfo/ale
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> 


-- 
Until later, Geoffrey	esoteric at 3times25.net

Building secure systems inspite of Microsoft