"Negative reaction to the upcoming Microsoft Licensing 6.0
Program is increasing and not lessening, as the August 1, 2002
launch date looms closer. A significant portion -over one-third -
36 percent -- of corporate enterprises report they don't have the
necessary funds to upgrade to the Microsoft Licensing 6.0 Program,
while another 38 percent say they are actively seeking alternatives
to Microsoft products.
"Those are the results of the latest Information Technology
Intelligence Corp./Sunbelt Software, Inc. independent oll of over
1,500 corporations worldwide. Those polled included Windows 2000
network and systems administrators, Exchange and SQL administrators
as well as Chief Technology Officers, Chief Information Officers
and Chief Operating Officers. Reactions from those polled indicate
outrage and resentment over the proposed changes and price hikes in
the forthcoming Microsoft Licensing 6.0 Program is building. As a
result, companies said they are much more willing to actively
contemplate a switch to rival software products. Linux, Unix,
Novell's eDirectory, Corel and Star Office are the products which
are the products most often cited by users as the platforms they
might migrate to in the event they do switch from the Windows,
Active Directory and Office platforms..."
