Microsoft May Be Targeting the Ubuntu Desktop

mjasay writes "Microsoft is advertising for a new director of open source strategy, but this one has a specific purpose: fight the Linux desktop. 'The Windows Competitive Strategy team is looking for a strong team member to lead Microsoft's global desktop competitive strategy as it relates to open source competitors.' For a variety of reasons, this move is almost certainly targeted at Ubuntu Linux's desktop success. With the Mac, not Linux, apparently eating into Microsoft's Windows market share, what is it about desktop Linux, and specifically Ubuntu, that has Microsoft spooked?" Reader christian.einfeldt notes Microsoft's acknowledgment of the FOSS threat to their business model within SEC filings, and suggests that this job posting could instead be about maintaining Internet Explorer's market share lead against Firefox.

Re:woo

[nomadic]

Ok, SEVENTEEN. My point still remains. I'm just bad at math.

Re:ITP

[binarylarry]

You realize major PC vendors are now shipping Linux desktops on mainstream retail hard you can buy RIGHT NOW, right?

It's not exactly speculation... the Linux mothership is arriving and its pissed.

Re:Alternate summary

[Anonymous Coward]

...what is it about Ubuntu that's making Microsoft target them specifically?

Somebody showed Steve Ballmer this bug report [launchpad.net]?

Bug #1 (liberation):
Microsoft has a majority market share

Re:woo

[jgtg32a]

This is slashdot if you are going to post something like that we require proper regex syntax.

m/(ba|c|tc|k)sh/

Thank you

Re:woo

[Anonymous Coward]

if linux makes a version that any idiot could install their fucked.

Re:What is it about desktop Linux?

[Goffee71]

True, but i'd like to be in the MS boardroom the day Apple announces that move - with a mop and waders!

Re:woo

[Z00L00K]

In Soviet Mircrosoft the Operating System owns You.

Re:woo

[BrentH]

You know, usually things that are 17 years old are very ready for my desktop. If I like the performance, I may just take it to the kitchen table!

Re:I'm not sure that either of you are correct...

[mysticgoat]

What did Linus say a few years ago? Here it is:

Really, I'm not out to destroy Microsoft. That will just be a completely unintentional side effect.
Interview with the New York Times, September, 2003 [nytimes.com]

Re:woo

[mrsteveman1]

pervert

Re:the acorn becomes the mighty oak...yeah yeah

[stubear]

As a matter of fact, I have. However, are YOU aware that not everyone has access to IMAP for their e-mail accounts? You do realize that there is a much larger world then the one you've created in your parent's basement? Ever heard of SMTP? You know, the protocol that the majority of the world still uses for sending/receiving e-mail?

Re:And the other thing that scares them

[NDPTAL85]

There's another way to look at it. That code is there to prevent people from stealing the OS since its thats popular. Linux on the other hand has trouble gaining marketshare even though its free. Its almost as if you literally can't GIVE Linux away. You have to come up with a philosophical 'movement' to talk people into using it.