Army to Gates: Halt the free software

c|net news.com ^ | March 10, 2004, | Ina Fried

[rock58seg]

And besides if they give it away, how will someone be able to engineer a rakeoff, or kickback.

[Sofa King]

Well, Gates doesn't slap around his hoes and perform drive-by shootings.

[Sofa King]

If you're computer savy enough to install a new version of windows, then you should certainly be able to manage to save documents in a backwards-compatible format.

[Nick Danger]

Still using Office 2000, and see no need whatsoever to upgrade.

What? You mean that's not the current version?

[coloradan]

Neither do many drug dealers.

[philetus]

I plan on using Wk2 and Office2000 until I die.

[Fred Mertz]

That Access is just so complicated. But it was worth every penny of the $199 I paid for it, I'm sure. I just have to read the manual someday and figure it all out.

Surely you jest. Fortunately for you, it contains no carbos.

[Richard Kimball]

If you'll check my post #29, you'll find that I rethought my earlier position, and will admit I was wrong. If MS sent out random free copies of Office, without regard as to whether or not the individual was an employee, it would be a different situation. It would also be perfectly legal for MS to provide the agency with evaluation copies. After reading several rebuttals (including yours), it became pretty obvious to me that this was a gift specifically targeted to employees with the expectation of garnering favor. This is, of course, what the laws are designed to prevent. As an employee of a college (I train fire fighters), I have to admit that it was extremely difficult for me to turn down an "evaluation" pair of fire fighting boots that retail for around $320, but, ce la vie.

Having never worked for the Feds, I'm not sure what their laws are, but at my level, it's not illegal for them to offer the gift, just for me to take it. On the other hand, I frequently receive evaluation copies of textbooks, and see no conflict of interest, since I have a legitimate role in evaluating these books for classroom use.

[cc2k]

SamAdams76 wrote:

---

I can explain how Gates's behavior is different than drug dealers: His products are legal.

---

His products are legal to sell. However, if he gives Office to government employees and government officials, that's highly illegal. It is just as illegal as if he sent government employees a "sample" of cocaine.

[cc2k]

Sofa King wrote:

---

If you're computer savy enough to install a new version of windows, then you should certainly be able to manage to save documents in a backwards-compatible format.

---

First, I wasn't talking about installing a new version of Windows, I was talking about installing a new version of office. Your point is still somewhat valid, though.

However, if you're computer savvy enough to install a new version of Office on you secretary's computer, is your sectretary automatically knowledgeable enough to save documents in a backwards-compatible format?

And, if you have a major part of your IRA invested in Microsoft stock, wouldn't you want to spread new format documents around your company to "encourage" the IT folks to buy the upgrade?

[Lost Highway]

Let's all cut Gates some slack. He's just trying to move Microsoft toward the open source model and is still learning the ropes. :-)

[N3WBI3]

Call em what you will but they are not stupid. How many of us have to deal with a new and untested piece of software because just one important enough person decides to try it out... Now everyone they interface with will also need the application. What you end up with is an expensive, unplanned, and messy migration where none was needed.

[N3WBI3]

its ok I agree the drug pushing analogy is over the top...

[N3WBI3]

Does eating a snack make my wifes food not work? Does she have to upgrade to "Jims Smoked Sausage" in order to talk with me? If this was MS sending to home users, fine NP. But MS knows home users will get the OEM version when they buy a new PC if they can get just one important person in an organization they can force an upgrade which is unneeded.

Lets face it pointy haired bosses are pretty easy to impress with a UI, and 'feature' upgrade...

[N3WBI3]

yea you would think so, until you see the box 'you have chose to save this in a non windows 2003 format, some functions will not work are you sure you want to do this'...

[antiRepublicrat]

Er, giving a gift over $50 to a government employee whose agency does business with you or regulates you is every bit as "clearly illegal" as a storage locker full of crack cocaine.

I've done a lot with Army contracting, and it doesn't even need to be illegal. Employees are told to avoid even the appearance of inethical behavior even if it's actually innocent. Likewise, contractors such as Microsoft should know better than to do stuff like this.

[antiRepublicrat]

If you think Microsoft is predatory about upgrades, try some other software vendors, particularly in the CAD and ERP fields.

This one's a bit different than usual. To take advantage of any of the new features you'll have to buy Microsoft's new server products, too. They're going to total lock-in.

Use OpenOffice if it fits your needs (on Windows/Mac/Linux) -- you'll never have to worry about formats or expensive upgrade cycles.

[Sofa King]

"However, if you're computer savvy enough to install a new version of Office on you secretary's computer, is your sectretary automatically knowledgeable enough to save documents in a backwards-compatible format?"

No, but you could tell her how. It would take all of five seconds.

"And, if you have a major part of your IRA invested in Microsoft stock, wouldn't you want to spread new format documents around your company to "encourage" the IT folks to buy the upgrade?"

Well, if you're plotting to intentionally steal from your company then you can do it with a copy of Windows office that you've obtained another way.

My main point is that if you can't manage to have 2-3 computers in the office running a different version of MS office without upgrading every computer in the company, then you've got more far-reaching problems than MS.

[Sofa King]

Click the 'yes' button.

[Way2Serious]

My employer's rules on this kind of thing are some of the strictest in the business. We are not allowed to accept any token or promotional item from a vendor or customer that is valued over $20. Microsoft got around this by setting up a "special purchase" program where we can buy a complete MS Office install disk for $19.95. The $19.95 probably just about covers the shipping and handling.