Microsoft assertions that the open-source software market, such as Linux, is destroying intellectual property and stifling innovation has been slammed in a user survey, with the majority of respondents saying Microsoft is "just running scared".
A staggering 73 percent of 1250 respondents disagreed with Microsoft's stance on the open-source software movement, according to a ZDNet readership survey.
A recent report by ZDNet quoted Microsoft as saying that open-source software destroys intellectual property and stifles innovation, viewing Linux as a threat to its venture into the server market.
Only 27 percent of survey respondents agreed with Microsoft that open-source software was holding the industry back.
In response to Microsoft's reaction to the open-source market, Linux supporters believe its recent rhetoric is a calculated managed reaction intended to create FUD - fear, uncertainty and doubt - amongst the industry.
"Microsoft are just trying the old game of creating doubts in people's minds,
"For a long time they refused to talk about open-source, now they are moving to the FUD method," a Linux spokesperson said.
The spokesperson says Microsoft can see its stranglehold on the industry being undermined and believes it is "fighting a very strong knee jerk reaction".
A Microsoft spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
Microsoft should embrace open source and build out its product base to include most all software versions to run on linux. This is the only valid long term survival plan that makes sense for them. To make the claims they have made shows us all that they really are being impacted by open source and also that they are not thinking but reacting. I did expected a much more intelligent reaction and response from them. I guess it shows how many little minds are in high places over there.
Robert Barnes
CEO
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