November 04, 2004

Political tactics in selling Operating Systems

I didn't know how to title this entry, as I am still trying to get the mud slinging US political election out of my head.

You know the one. Where everyone slings mud at everyone else, meanwhile it only looks like everyone is dirty.

Well, that happens with operating systems too. Microsoft started it with their "Get the Facts" campaign, where they showed why in their view Windows has a lower total cost of ownership and outperforms Linux.

Today Novell shot back by launching their "Unbending the Truth" campaign. And they provide some pretty on point responses, bended to THEIR view.

As I look back to the Redmond campus, waiting for someone to grab another handful of mud to throw, I just shake my head. When will they realize that it's about the right tool for the right job. Quit throwing mud at each other, and tell me what YOU stand for. Answer the question of "What's in it for me", rather than "Why does your competitor suck".

Give me compelling reasons why your OS will make me more money, save me more time, and/or make me more productive. If you can't do that, then go away. I couldn't care less that you are threatened by each other. I couldn't care less if some grass roots zealot thinks Bill Gates is evil and has made to much money selling business apps that 10 years ago were not stable. I don't give a damn if some MVP can show me how it takes THEM 5 days to set up a Linux box.

So bend the truth however you see it. Give me YOUR facts so I can laugh. Then stop and think. Neither of you got my money because of it. I spend my money when I see that something works for me. Not on how something WON'T work for me.

If I want that, I'd go vote.

Posted by SilverStr at November 4, 2004 01:10 PM | TrackBack
Comments

You forget that where there is money involved, people *really* want to win. While this doesn't exactly work for the linux side of things (though there is money involved there, but most of the anti-windows stuff is from the hackers that don't like it on principle, not the companies who have money tied up), if you think about it, if you have the sort of money tied up in licenses and desktop/server computer software that MS has, or the nice kickbacks from say, the oil industry that Bush'll get, or Kerry (a lesser evil IMHO, but still a politition), hell, I'd fight dirty too.

Posted by: Arcterex at November 4, 2004 01:54 PM

Here, Here and AMEN brother For the record we have some MVPs that are quite well versed in Linux/Unix ... [one guy has Unix in his domain/email address] and can roll their own patches and wouldn't take 5 days for them to load up a Linux. I posted on a MVP listserve that I totally groaned when I saw that Ballmer memo. If he truly cares about the customer, he would be pushing for interoperability. The server may be linux or a blends of Windows and Linux, but that desktop is going to be Windows for a LONG time. We hang Linux and MACs off our our SBS networks. It's all about agility Mr. Ballmer. We all win when we work together.

Posted by: Susan at November 4, 2004 02:27 PM

If he truly cares about the customer, he would be pushing for interoperability.

Yup, but they don't, and that's becoming more and more clear. The 'a computer on every desktop running our software' is pretty telling that "working nicely" with others isn't a high priority. But hey, luckily the "other side" has managed to get around lack of information etc and create compatibility in the *nix->windows direction.

Posted by: Arcterex at November 5, 2004 09:24 AM

Yep, count me amongst those that run hybrid networks. Maybe we should come up with a list of jobs that each OS is most capable of performing? Then again, it has the likelihood of devolving into the usual religious dispute...

Posted by: joat at November 5, 2004 11:59 AM

When talking about operating systems? That'd never happen..... :)

Posted by: Arcterex at November 8, 2004 02:45 PM

Like the others have said, it's not about the "right tools for the right job". As long as corporate decisions are made on a golf course, the world's not fine. And, let's face it, management works that way: one day the CEO or someone else on the Board enters the office and declares "We're going with Cisco now!" or "We're going with Microsoft and chuck out these Stupid, Expensive Linux Boxes" - or whatever other BS they're uttering. Yes, it's micromanagement, but it's being done umpteenth times a day.

(tongue in cheek now!)
Management decisions are always political - sometimes geared toward their business, sometimes geared toward whatever vendor sponsors their next vacation.

Posted by: Axel at November 9, 2004 03:21 PM