USA Today: Microsoft memo to staff: Clobber Linux

“Microsoft declines to comment on Valentine’s call to
arms. The software giant considers his rallying cry simply being
proactive in the marketplace, says a source familiar with the
matter. But the memo has been a hot topic in industry circles, and
some observers say it could ultimately backfire.

Unlike others Microsoft has vanquished, Linux is more a
grass-roots religion than a vulnerable corporate target. While
Microsoft jealously guards its core software code, Linux code is
open and continually improved by thousands of top programmers
around the world who believe software should benefit society.

…Some think Microsoft should likewise embrace Linux. But
Valentine’s memo suggests Microsoft is resorting to old tactics at
the risk of giving Linux a bigger forum to tout its success
stories, says Dan Kusnetzky, an analyst with research firm
IDC.”

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