Microsoft Academic Tour
Tomorrow, the 26th of November, Microsoft will visit my university to “inform” students about it’s “great” offerings in both software and technology.
Of course I’m not such a supporter of Microsoft’s track record. The company’s probably the most evil institution the software developing world has ever seen. I’ve always got my critique ready when another snob, conveniently placed on the Microsoft payroll, openly starts kissing his employer’s ass. But lo and behold: Microsoft has (indirectly) invited me, of all people, to a Q&A session “About Microsoft, with Microsoft”. Of course I humbly accept the invitation.
Because the session will only (surprisingly) last half an hour, I’ve limited my questionnaire barrage to two questions. Maybe some fellow free software developers will join me in this session.
- Why does Microsoft continue to challenge European law, both by abusing it’s monopoly and starting endless appeals in court?
- How does Microsoft think European software patents would encourage innovation, even now the U.S. system clearly shows it doesn’t?
I hope these will be enough to make my willing Microsoft victim, Ruud de Jonge, Director Developer and Platform Enthusiasm, want to develop NetBSD-only console games instead.
Update: according to Microsoft they won’t answer these questions, because it’s not within the scope of this tour. Too bad.
God damned! Fuck that update!