“Microsoft’s flip-flop on Linux has created a lot of
confusion in the marketplace. Here’s a look at the positions taken
during and after the anti-trust trial, and an evaluation by a Linux
advocate.”
“Microsoft has managed to create a quagmire of uncertainty among
some potential Linux users by conveniently recognizing Linux as a
technological threat to Windows 9x and NT during the Antitrust
Trial, then denouncing Linux as “hype” on a Microsoft web site.
Obviously, Microsoft was willing to portray Linux as competition to
the court, but not to the buying public.”
“One the one hand, in its “Proposed Findings” submitted to the
anti-trust court, Microsoft all but endorsed Linux. The section on
the findings on competitive operating systems glittered with
references to Linux’s viability and acceptance. While anti-trust
prosecutors no doubt anticipated that sort of tactic from
Microsoft, such detailed recognition of Linux coming from Microsoft
was stunning. Of course, Microsoft’s Proposed Findings were not the
findings of the court, and shortly after the trial, Microsoft
accordingly changed its public position about Linux.”