Dell’s statement about Linux on netbooks helps to set the record straight.
The Register has the story: At the recent OpenSource World conference, Dell Senior Product Marketing Manager Todd Finch said the number of returns for Linux machines and Windows machines were approximately the same.
Finch went on to say that Microsoft was “making something of nothing” out of a “non-issue”.
Canonical already called Microsoft out on FUD over netbook returns back in April. There’s an interesting footnote at the end of the Canonical blog:
P.S Continually repeating that we ‘confirmed’ a 4x return over XP when we did nothing of the sort is really not worthy of a great company like Microsoft. If we are going to compete, let’s do it on real facts and actual statements. You’re better than that, Redmond
Uh, no they aren’t.
We may wish they were “better than that”, and they should be “better than that”; but they aren’t – in fact, this further reveals exactly what they are. Microsoft has a long and shameful history of dishonesty and gleeful use of what is called FUD tactics, and that seems to continue to this very day. (Trivially shown in this case: the Microsoft blog has never bothered to issue a correction.)
While I realize Canonical is trying to be polite and stay to the moral high road, the issue here is a huge disinformation campaign on the perception that Microsoft is “a changed company” or “finally gets Open Source”.
Playing into that by …. generously …. stating Microsoft is “a great company” or “better than that”, is:
1. Just not true.
2. Supporting the myth that Microsoft has changed in some material manner.
So, while it comes at no surprise to see Microsoft continue to opt for the same old lies and distortion, it is nice to hear from a major player like Dell putting the smack down on the netbook FUD.
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