“Techworld reported yesterday that ‘Microsoft is preparing a
major PR assault over Windows’ perceived security failings in which
it will criticise Linux for taking too long to fix bugs.’ After I
stopped laughing, I started thinking about what a great opportunity
this is for open source software.“How many times have we seen companies that can’t compete with
their substance turn to advertising, public relations, and, as a
last resort, lawsuits, to protect their interests? If Microsoft has
to take that road, what does it say about the company’s ability to
provide true security, or its ability to innovate? Nothing good,
certainly.“At the same time, Microsoft’s PR blitz will bring the concept
of open source software before people who may never have heard of
it before. Raising it as a competitor legitimizes it for big
corporate organizations…”