Mark Shuttleworth (sabdfl) says:

Story: Microsoft's next Linux partner is...?Total Replies: 3
Author Content
henke54

Jun 15, 2007
9:54 PM EST
Quoted:
We will not deal with Microsoft on the terms that other distributions have done. We would engage constructively with Microsoft, but only on terms that we feel would benefit our users and community, and we define that to be the free software movement as a whole. Some users may want one or other element that Microsoft may be offering, but the movement as a whole does not want to trade trinkets for souls.

I replied to a comment on my blog recently with more direct commentary. We've declined to pursue conversations with Microsoft that appeared to be offers to go down that road.

[HYPERLINK@ubuntuforums.org]
dinotrac

Jun 16, 2007
4:01 AM EST 		> on the terms that other distributions have done.

That's saying absolutely nothing. What specifically will they do or not do?

Every deal is different. Any difference can be seized on. "No, no, no. You guys were all fixated on the patent thing and all that, but the really important thing is that we be able to guarantee that nobody messes with our logo. That is the soul of our distribution. And ... man, are you going to enjoy the benefits we get from Microsoft, especially the LGA."
henke54

Jun 16, 2007
9:53 AM EST
Quoted:
All the deals announced so far strike me as “trinkets in exchange for air kisses”. Mua mua. No thanks.

[HYPERLINK@www.markshuttleworth.com]
dinotrac

Jun 16, 2007
12:12 PM EST 		>trinkets

I can now instinctively refuse to trust this man. The Novell deal differed substantially from the other two. Three hundred million dollars does not amount to trinkets.

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