Software Choice Group Tells DOD Not to Use Open Source

ducomputergeek writes "A group calling themselves the Initiative for Software Choice, backed by Microsoft and others, is recommending that the DOD drop plans for further adoption of Open Source software. This comes after MITRE, a defense contractor, published a report stating that not only does the Department of Defense use opensource, but is recommend on using it more. The article is at News.com and you can read it here."

NEWS FLASH

[unterderbrucke]

People have different opinions!
Film at 11.

In other news today

[Dachannien]

In other news, Microsoft reports that it has purchased the rights to the next edition of Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. Among the changes expected to appear in this edition, the word "choice" will henceforth be defined as "the act of giving Microsoft more money, esp. against one's better judgment."

Is trhis really news?

[joel8x]

A group backed by corporations with their own interests says their biggest threat is not a good choice.

In other news, a group called "The Darkened Lung Group" (backed by R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris) are saying that smoking isn't that bad for you and it's not really addictive.

Re:big brother

[Erpo]

Minipax unuse openful computerwrite. Refs uncommercialism. Doubleplus ungood.

--The grammar police.

Thanksgiving...

[Noryungi]

... And I am grateful for the Microsoft marketdroids, for spewing such ridiculous, transparent FUD.

The more they do this, the more exposure Open Source gains, and the more people are going to stop buying Microsoft products.

Seriously, though, imagine a PHB in those difficult times: you have to do more with less $$$. And right there and then, comes this PR FUD from Microsoft, saying: "Stop using this cheap Open Source! It's BAD for your health and for the environment!!".

PHB brain, of course, only registers the word cheap. He immediately goes to his techies and says: "Linux is cheap!! Start using it NOW to save money!".

*Collective sighs of relief from said techies*

Let us all give thanks for Microsoft Marketing, and for the FUD for which it stands. With upgrade paths and expensive licenses for all.

Amen.

(Yes, I am being sarcastic, people. Go back to your turkeys instead of pointing these flamethrowers at me now...) ;)

Re:Is trhis really news?

[JoeCommodore]

a group called "The Darkened Lung Group" (backed by R.J. Reynolds and Phillip Morris)

In this example it should be called the "Group for Health Alternatives".

Re:Surprise

[NotTheNickIWanted]

After all Windows Xp is the most secure operating system according to Microsoft.

I suspect that there is a noticable difference between the most secure operating system and Microsoft's most secure operating system.

In related news...

[Tseran]

the heavy metal rock band Metallica recently realized that their battle against MP3's wasn't over and that Microsoft's attempt to squash MP3 with the changes in the Windows Media Player, proved that they were a good ally. The two groups have joined forces and will now fight against free music and free software. To seal the alliance, the next version of Windows, codenamed Longhorn, will be renamed to 'Sandman' and the familiar Start button will be replaced with an 'Enter' button. When asked to comment on this recent alliance, drummer James Hetfield had this to say. "Linux bad! Windows good!"

DrinkOrDie?

[jhol]

Strange,

I thought the warez group Drink Or Die already used Open Source software to distribute their stuff... ;-)

Hey I agree...

[Anonymous Coward]

Fine, closed systems... Then just switch to using MacOS... Think of how bitchin' and intimidating our tanks, subs and planes would be in indiglo, lime green or dalmation...

A better idea?

[qzulla]

Shouldn't they be telling the DOD why their software is better?

Oh, wait... strike that...

qz

Re:OSS can't be used everywhere

[quantum bit]

Then use FreeBSD. It came out of California ;)

Too Late!

[Anonymous Coward]

Day of Defeat source code has already been released and the mod community is feverishly whipping out a Power Rangers mod which will soon be the 'killer app' for the Quake 3 engine akin to what Counterstrike did for Halflife.

Re:What about a GPL binary?

[grub]

On Windows box I honestly don't know. If you could FTP (in binary mode!) to a *NIX box, you could just "md5 filename"

Sorry, my Windows skills are limited to playing games.

Personally, I'd resubmit the story; they repeat stories that ran just a day before, your odds of getting approved are pretty good, eh? :)

Re:Nat actually what the art

[JPelorat]

"congressional norms"

now that's a classy oxymoron..

Re:Choices

[frankie]

just make sure you chose between Windows XP,2000 or 98.

Hey, be fair now. The Institute for Software Choice offers a much broader selection than just three versions of Windows (two of which are out of fashion [microsoft.com]):

1. XP Home
2. XP Pro
3. XP Embedded
4. XP Media Center
5. XP Tablet PC
6. .Net Server
7. PocketPC

See? Isn't that enough choice for anybody?