From: Rich Gauszka 

FUD

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&article
Id=9019359

Analysis: Microsoft patent claims hint at internal issues

The company wants to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt, say IP lawyers

IDG News Service) -- Microsoft Corp.'s aim to seek patent royalties from
open-source software distributors and users may be an attempt to use legal
threats to deflect attention from larger questions surrounding its business
-- including lack of interest in new versions of core products and
lackluster profit from new wares.

Adam > wrote:
> mike wrote:
>> On Mon, 14 May 2007 00:26:02 -0400, "Rich Gauszka"
>>  wrote:
>>
>>> But the way that Microsoft is trying to shore up its business
>>> model is shameful and shows just how vulnerable it really is.
>>
>> It's the dying gasp of a dinosaur.
>>
>>   /m
>
> It's the effects of Govs no longer tolerating proprietary formats.
>
> e.g. the latest:
>
> http://www.consortiuminfo.org/standardsblog/article.php?story=200705131802196
89
>
> "Norway is the latest European country to move closer to mandatory
> government use of ODF (and PDF).  According to a press release provided
> in translation to me by an authoritative source, Norway now joins
> Belgium, Finland, and France (among other nations) in moving towards a
> final decision to require such use. The text of the press release, as
> well as some of the statements made at the press conference where the
> announcement was made, are appended at the end of this blog post.
>
> The Norwegian recommendation was revealed by Minister of Renewal Heidi
> Grande Roys, on behalf of the Cabinet-appointed Norwegian Standards
> Council. If adopted, it would require all government agencies and
> services to use these two formats, and would permit other formats (such
> as OOXML) to be used only in a redundant capacity. Reflecting a
> pragmatic approach to the continuing consideration of OOXML by ISO/IEC
> JTC 1, the recommendation calls for Norway to "promote the convergence
> of the ODF and OOXML, in order to avoid having two standards covering
> the same usage." "
>
>
> Once the format is no longer MS's to control then the Office suite (one
> of MS's 2 major earners goes to the wall.
>
> At that point (esp with cross platform office suites) & with good
> alternative "other office tools" e.g. email, web browsers
etc then it's
> all over in the medium/long term
>
>
> & that's before the web apps etc really kick in (e.g google etc.)
>
> You can only milk a cow so long before you need to get a new calf & MS
> managed this with Office following on from Windows (adding to the herd)
> but then......?
>
> Proper web standards (vs both the Netscape & MS "our
stds") & ODF are
> the 2 MS killers.
>
> Now they're trying the SCO play (lots of infringements of v.
> .....remunerative patents....right at the heart of the
> competition....etc.etc.) & ........it didn't play out well last time
> so.....How well this time?
>
> It's a sign of weakness not strength & makes me wonder how well the XP >
> Vista move really is going & is going to go. XP is good enough for
> most....& if no new drivers for old kit......then may as well try your
> old kit with.....a brand spanking new....linux....
>
>
> Adam

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