The Star (Malaysia): Microsoft vs. Open Source

[ Thanks to lx3hf
for this link. ]

Microsoft: We’re Concerned Open Source Has No Economic
Benefits

“Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd said it was concerned that the
Open Source Software (OSS) movement lacks economic benefits to the
nation and to individual developers.

“Responding to increasing press coverage on OSS and interest
amongst the private and public sector, the company said that while
it believed OSS has a definite role to play in the ‘software
ecosystem,’ it questioned its long-term viability and
sustainability.

“‘We are concerned that the OSS movement lacks the economic
motivation to sustain development and innovation in the long term,
since after all, someone has to feed the developers,’ said Alex
Fong, director of Microsoft Malaysia’s Central Marketing
Organisation…”

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But Then Again, OSS Can Save Us

“Open Source Software (OSS) proponents reacted strongly to
Microsoft Malaysia’s arguments against the model, saying that OSS
in fact goes hand-in-hand with the country?s high-tech
aspirations.

“‘In my view, what this country wants and needs to achieve
ultimately is not really to just earn money through the pure sales
of software,’ said independent software consultant Dr Nah Soo Hoe,
also a member of the Malaysian National Computer Confederation’s
Open Source Special Interest Group (MNCC-OSSIG)…”

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OSS Developers: We’re Eating Enough, Thank You Very Much

“Microsoft Malaysia’s contention that the Open Source Software
(OSS) model does not sufficiently reward developers was rebuffed by
one company that does it for a living.

“‘Tell Microsoft that all of the developers at eXtropia eat
heartily … in fact, sometimes too heartily,’ chuckled Eric
Tachibana, chief executive officer of open web technology company,
eXtropia (www.eXtropia.com).

“The belief that OSS does not reward developers was wrong, he
said…”

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