All over now. :-) https://www.satirewire.com/news/0101/linux_quit.shtml
MICROSOFT SAYS RIVAL LINUX HAS NO FUTURE,
SO LINUX INDUSTRY WILL STOP NOW
Despite Gains in Market Share, Linux Firms To Call It Quits
Redmond, Wash. (SatireWire.com) - Chastened Linux executives pledged to stop their "crazy dreaming" and
disband their efforts after an executive from Microsoft proclaimed Linux was doomed, and openly questioned
whether the free, rival operating system should exist.
The executive, Microsoft group product manager Doug Miller, told a
reporter for Wired "Linux is not leading anything, it is simply
providing a 'free' operating system," adding that, ""Free does not
sustain a business," and, "the recent security problems with Linux ...
really call into question whether Linux should be used at all."
The startling reprimand from Redmond sent shockwaves
throughout the Linux industry, which was doubly disappointed
because it had been steadily gaining share on Microsoft's operating
systems.
"When I read what Mr. Miller said, it was like I'd been blindsided, like
a doctor told me I had six months to live," recalled Matthew Szulik,
CEO of Linux software provider Red Hat. "We recently exceeded earnings expectations, and figured to be
profitable by next year, but it looks like we were wrong."
Other Linux firms, public and private, said they would follow Red Hat's example and liquidate. "If we don't have
Microsoft's blessing, then what's the point?" said a shaky Larry Augustin, CEO of VA Linux.
Augustin denounced as "absurd" allegations that Microsoft might be utilizing its infamous FUD tactics to spread
Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt about an opponent in an effort to steal market share. "That would be deceitful," he
replied, "and Microsoft has stated repeatedly that it does not lie or cheat or mislead."
When it was pointed out that many people lie about their honesty, Augustin grew defensive. "Maybe most people
do cheat, but then, most people aren't sworn to tell the truth in court like Microsoft has had to do, over and over
again!"
At Linux community site Slashdot, which will be closing despite its remarkable growth and popularity, co-founder
Jeff Bates grew introspective. "Somebody said to me that Microsoft was guilty of hypocrisy because it gave away
Internet Explorer for free to eliminate competition from the Netscape Navigator browser, but this is a totally
different situation," said Bates. "We're talking about Microsoft, for God's sake, not a bunch of utopian, open
source geeks like us."
"No, we all have to take this for what it is," he added, "the cold, hard truth. Damn their probity."
Reached at his office, Microsoft's Miller said he didn't enjoy delivering the sobering news, and prayed his
opponents would be able to find peace. "Revealing that Linux is full of errors, shouldn't be used, and has no place
in the software world was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do," confessed Miller, who appeared to be
holding back tears. "I can only hope that one day, they will see I was doing this to save them years of wasted
effort."
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