Microsoft Executive Out to Debunk Linux Myths

While on tour in Southeast Asia recently, Microsoft Platform Strategy Director Bill Hilf sought to debunk some of the myths around Linux and the open-source movement. Hilf said that the goal of his tour was to provide "descriptive and intelligent" arguments that refute conventional wisdom about Linux and the-open source movement. Although Hilf clearly knows what he's talking about, his controversial choice of words is sure to get him in hot water with open-source fanatics.

"The Free Software movement is dead," said Hilf in the "Bangkok Post." "Linux doesn't exist in 2007. Even [Linux creator] Linus [Torvalds] has a job today."

According to Hilf, the Linux phenomenon is really about Apache and related Web technologies, such as Hypertext Preprocessor (PHP) and MySQL, and not about Linux itself. Developers who target those technologies are increasingly interested in Windows, which accounts for about 67 percent of the server market. "That's the dirty little secret," Hilf said. "When I talk to open source developers, at least half are talking about Windows, from SugarCRM, MySQL, PHP. Every single one."

And as for the notion that open-source solutions such as Linux are supported by a hidden army of programmers thanks to the availability of source code, Hilf said that, in reality, most active Linux development is coming from paid employees at companies that release Linux distributions. "They are full-time employees, with 401K stock options," Hilf said. "Some work for IBM or Oracle. There is no free software movement. If someone says Linux is about love, peace, and harmony, I would tell them to do their research. There is no free software movement any more. There are big commercial companies like IBM and there are small commercial companies like Ubuntu."

Hilf is no stranger to controversy, having attended Linux-friendly events, such as LinuxWorld, despite working for Microsoft. Hilf's background lets him speak with authority about Linux and open source because prior to joining Microsoft, he led IBM's Linux strategy.

End of Article

*yawn*

Reflections May 13, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Must be Linux is picking up steam if Microsoft is turning up the heat. If it were as irrelevant as they say, there'd be no reason to pay any attention whatsoever.

Typical.

lotsamystuff May 13, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Come on, lotsa...you should understand this stuff...its all marketing...its like when Apple pokes fun at the Zune or MS pokes fun at AppleTV. In fact, that is Apples main marketing strategy...Instead of talking about what makes their products better...they just talk about why the competition sucks...

As for the article...this line is right on the mark:
"There are big commercial companies like IBM and there are small commercial companies like Ubuntu."

--tayme

tayme May 13, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Bill Hilf has been in this schizophrenic dual role as Open Source Evangelist within MS and Public Open Source Basher for a number of years now. His message seems to morph every time the OSS communitiy counters his arguments. (Open source can't innovate, open source isn't secure, open source can't pay for itself, yadda-yadda, ...)
The first time I heard him speak, he was introduced as someone very knowledgeable about open source. Not recognizing him, I researched him on the web and found two key items. Firstly, up until about four months prior to the presentation I attended, he was a frequent and welcome speaker at open source events and then he was hired by Microsoft. Secondly, his personal web page also had all the hallmarks of someone with both a family and a small independent consulting gig that just wasn't paying the rent. (Small, limited content, rarely updated, his professional site shared a URL with his family pages, etc.)

My speculation is that MS prowled through the OSS community for just this kind of guy - somebody with knowledge and a clear need for cash - to be the credible 'voice of reason'. I don't fault Bill for needing to care for his family but in my eyes his message is tainted beyond credibility.

skeptic May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"he was introduced as someone very knowledgeable about open source"

"his personal web page also had all the hallmarks of someone with....a small independent consulting gig that just wasn't paying the rent"

"I don't fault Bill for needing to care for his family but in my eyes his message is tainted"

welcome to the real world.

meet the "voice of reason" - a real world example of why free, open-source software doesn't work.

XP

Waethorn May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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"According to Hilf, the Linux phenomenon is really about Apache and related Web technologies"

Really? Gee... wait... who does Windows CE compete against in the embedded market? Ahh....

And I seriously doubt Linus thinks it is dead. The OS is grantedly the most unpolished OS, but it's came a long way. If MS wants to fight linux, fight them on the feature points. Windows has the fastest GUI, Windows is the defacto standard for driver support, etc.

Kicking dirt and lawsuits may work on Novell and Sun, but MS has to remember that Linux is the guerrila OS, it doesn't play by normal corporate rules, and Novell isn't the 'proprietor'.

If MS can't keep Windows a more attractive choice than Linux, no amount of lawers will stop the transistion. Vista is still my OS of choice, and I don't see that changing, but this silly attack is just silly.

will84 May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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i think the point is completely lost on Linux apologists though. the point to be made is that people think they can switch corporations over to Linux for "free" which is a larf. corporations can't run business-critical operations on freeware - it just doesn't work. you have to factor in stable distributions of Linux (which cost money) plus support costs (big bucks), not to mention other issues such as workflow, integration, TCO, ROI, etc (not to mention compatibility). any good IT company will tell you that. thinking that Linux is automatically going to save you 100% on your business software is just wishful thinking. thinking that it's also not nearly as expensive as Microsoft's solutions is likewise so. Microsoft is also trying to point out that last one, and it's a good one too.

XP

Waethorn May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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...and if you can't win with "facts", sue them into submission!

http://techreport.com/onearticle.x/12462

lotsamystuff May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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www.showusthecode.com

Reflections May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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Ha ha classic stuff!

At the end-of-the-day, everyone has to pay the rent...even the Zealots...

KingBuzzo May 14, 2007 (Article Rating:

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