Microsoft wants an anti-Linux chief

[LinuxMint-4]

Microsoft wants an anti-Linux chief
By John Lister

http://vista.blorge.com/2009/02/10/micr ... nux-chief/


Microsoft wants an anti-Linux chief If you really hate Linux – or at least are willing to pretend to – Microsoft might have the job for you. The firm is advertising for an executive who will be specifically responsible for competing against open source software.

Whoever takes the role as Director of Open Source Desktop Strategy “will be responsible for bringing our business strategy to life by discovering and sharing the market insights that set the foundation for our platform value dialogue with customers and the industry”. In other words, they’ll have to come up with reasons that will persuade people to stick with Microsoft products rather than switch to open source systems.

The full list of duties is written in the usual recruitment jargon, but the gist of it is that you have to research the market, produce objective measures which ‘prove’ Microsoft’s option is best, then work with the firm’s PR department and international offices to get that message across.

The ad specifically stresses the need for “a rational set of proof points” and “a fact-based marketing plan”, so the successful applicant will have to come up with something more solid than paying Jerry Seinfeld $10 million to go shoe-shopping.

The position is advertised as being part of a wider team dealing with ‘Windows Competitive Strategy’, which presumably means colleagues will include a Macbasher-in-chief.

The brief doesn’t just cover the obvious markets such as netbooks and mobile devices, but specifically mentions PCs. While there’s no suggestion Microsoft is panicking about the Linux market share of desktops, the firm is clearly looking to crack down even the slightest threat. Just look at BestBuy stocking Ubuntu disks to see how open source could get a foothold into the mainstream.

Still, as Rupert Goodwins of ZDNet points out, there probably will be limits put on whoever takes over the role. His suggestion of the most logical response to the brief – putting a Linux CD in every Windows package so that consumers can compare the two systems – doesn’t seem like it would be a winner with Microsoft management.

[MattKingUSA]

I can dig it. I think I should apply. I would love to bash Linux and advocate it at the same time. Windows is better for business because we charge you and you know that if you are paying a ton of money for licensing that you're going to get great support. Especially because all of your techs are fresh out of college and have no real hands on experience anyway.

[Patrick]

You have to wonder about any business that has an anti-competition department/chief. How about using those resources to improve your own product and promote that?

[eddie]

But then considering the middle ages mentality of what else they have done, it only fits....