Friends: To take this discussion a little away from Microsoft and OSS. The Gatses are among the largest funders of public health and school education programmes. Both of these can benefit a great deal if knowledge flows freely and unfettered. Currently the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation supports the public library movement through a major award. It would only be a logical extension for the Gatses, Microsoft and the N&M Gates Foundation to support the open access movement. Right now the Open Society Institute and the Wellcome Trust are among the few institutions that support the OA movement. Subbiah Arunachalam

I wonder if it's really possible to incorporate a "Linux -v- Microsoft" battle of operating systems into any sort of effective Open Source activism?

Trouble is that Open Source perse (and true OSS activism) has no issue with Microsoft - to the contrary... the fact this leviathan itself ventured into Open Source in 2004 (albeit tentatively and only a tiny step thus far), is marvellous news to those of us honestly wishing to promote OSS as a viable and humanitarian-focused software development ideology.

I am quite sure that to a majority of software developers... What better proponent for OSS than the world's largest and most powerful software company? Having spent years fostering and developing a tenuous relationship, it would be horrible for the relationship to now be destroyed by a few Linux zealots so wrapped-up in a preferred operating system they would smash any bridges regardless of cost. Ideological terrorism.

In a few weeks (along with about 1,000 other software developers) I will spend a week at Microsoft TechEd. Assuming the event is no different to other years a small minority of us will be Linux users, a large majority Open Source Software activists in our businesses and workplaces. Microsoft are expected to announce further Open Source developments, and as in years past we will again be very vocal should this fail to eventuate! (having spent $thousands to attend the event MS are inclined to listen to us).

A leviathan cannot be moved by brute force, but it can be persuaded to move if enough voices of interest suggest good reason to do so... Having nudged this particular leviathan a few steps along the path we can only hope that a noisy minority do not continue to undermine efforts in one-eyed hatred of all things Microsoft - That the leviathan isn't forced to abandon this new-found path because the view of the end is simply too unpalatable.

PS - I personally have more issue with IBM than Microsoft - MS is at least honest enough to openly criticise what it views as the shortcomings of OSS, meaning activists can listen and address concerns in a reasonable manner... IBM has a history of trying to associate with and subsequently dominate OSS projects simply for it's own marketing purposes. To consume rather than participate as equals. Nonetheless I also acknowledge the benefits IBM can bring as a powerful "player" and market force. We need to nurture the support of all these leviathans.

Cheers, Don

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