The Magic of Open Source & Linux

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If one were to look at Microsoft's new strategy as well as the illegal drug industry, one would find some interesting parallels. In This Story: Locked In Addiction Issues Twelve Step Software

I'd imagine the majority of those reading this have an eye on the tech industry and know about Microsoft's new .net strategy.

For those of you who have not heard of it, the main idea is the "leasing" of your software from Microsoft while the company stores it and your documents on their servers. Cost savings and security benefits are to be assumed, but Microsoft doesn't appear to be doing this to please its loyal user base, but rather, appease its greedy monopolistic desires.

It appears to me that the primary advantages associated with .net only benefit Microsoft and not the consumer. For one, data storage resides primarily on the Microsoft's servers. This strategy puts Microsoft's competitors (even those with superior technology) at a new competitive disadvantage. You've seen how the company used its OS as a means to stifle competition; .net only brings this unfair advantage to a new level. Let me explain.

Locked In

Lets assume you used .net for a short term (perhaps just as a means of software experimentation), but later decided that you'd rather change to open office and Linux. Because Microsoft now has your data, you can't just grab your documents off the net and start using star office to convert them as easily as you might have do so before.

This is because users of Microsoft's upcoming .net service are required to pay for each file copy he/she makes. In essence, users of free software would actually be required to pay money (to Microsoft of all companies) thus eliminating advantages associated to the free software market.

If one were to look at Microsoft's new strategy as well as the illegal drug industry, one would find some interesting parallels.

Addiction Issues

Drug dealers make it difficult to get off drugs and live without them. Microsoft will make it difficult to switch to competitors and get off .net.

Drug dealers often sell their wares with the pitch, "The first one's free!" Microsoft will probably offer some similar freebee incentive for individuals to switch to .net.

Gradually the drug dealer starts to charge per month or every time you need a fix. Microsoft (in time) may someday charge you for doing such trivial things as printing a copy of your data.

When you try and get off the drug (.net) you are addicted to it -- you depend on it (your business depends on Microsoft). The only option for long-time drug addicts (long time .net users) is to gradually wean themselves off the drug by having less and less each time. (You attempt to use Microsoft .net less and less.)

But unfortunately for .net-oholics, Microsoft will still be racking in the money while you continue paying for your monthly subscription.

Twelve Step Software

Enter free software.

Free software has a much different model of service delivery, and far and away a better one for consumers -- that being, you get the software for free and you keep your data on your hard drive. Services are provided in the form of software updates and if you want, these companies will even store your data.

Yes, free software earns money by services, but with free software, you don't have to use these services if you don't want to. There is no subscription fee, and you can pull out and use an alternative at any time and do so with all your data in tow for free as well.

I don't know about you, but I know which option I'll be taking.