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February 9, 2009
In the last few days, Microsoft has been advertising for a Director of Open Source Strategy. The new position
is aimed at battling Linux on the desktop, but not on servers. There's no question anymore that the software
giant is nervous of what's going on in the Linux community and won't stand still in the trail of dust
left behind the open source bandwagon.
The ad is still running however, and according to sources, will continue to run until Microsoft has found
and hired that person.
Here's what such a job description looks like:
The Windows Competitive Strategy team is looking for a strong team member to lead Microsoft’s global
desktop competitive strategy as it relates to open source competitors. Our team mission is to gather
intelligence, create business strategies and drive action in the marketplace for the Windows Client business.
As the Director of Open Source Desktop Strategy, the successful job applicant will need to drive research
and build holistic strategies across dynamic market segments like PCs, NetBooks and mobile internet devices.
The job description mentions not just netbooks and mobile devices, but PCs as well. An estimated 30 percent
of netbooks ship with Linux, so it's
no surprise that netbooks would be a key part of the job. And mobile devices are an obvious target as well.
It shows that Microsoft is very worried that people who buy netbooks may get used to Linux, and eventually
move to Linux on their desktops as well. Multiply this by about 100 million and you start getting the picture...
The successful job applicant who fills this position will be heading up an all-out press against Linux
on the desktop, as these specific job functions taken from the job posting show:
Manage technical analysis of competitive platforms
Create a rational set of proof points that promote Microsoft’s comparative value
Build a fact-based marketing plan that articulates the Windows Client value
Collaborate with the owners of outbound marketing channels
Manage a marketing budget and influence worldwide subsidiary participation
There's no doubt that the words 'open source' and the 'Linux community' are making a lot of people
at Microsoft nervous and for good cause. Linux has the potential of cutting Microsoft's annual sales
by billions of dollars if left unchecked.
We can understand Microsoft wanting to fight this with everything it has in its power. The next two
quarters will be critical for the Redmond software giant if it wants to maintain its software supremacy
in the PC industry.
Source: Tech Blog.
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