Open Source Poses “Huge Risk” To Organisations

The Microsoft ad slogan "Where do you want to go today?" didn't quite translate into Japanese: "If you don’t know where you want to go, we’ll make sure you get taken." (Though that is more truthful.)

I can see the GE meeting now:

First GE executive: "We're saving all kinds of money using this open source software in house, but if everyone else starts using it we'll lose our competitive advantage. What can we do?" Helpful marketing executive: "Why don't we have our CIO's badmouth FOSS in the press? Then no one else will use it and we'll keep our advantage." Lower level GE executive: "Great idea, but we don't want our main CIO to get hit with the inevitable backlash from those FOSS hippies. Let's have one of our European CIO's do it. Then the US corporate offices can deny any responsibility, but it'll still be effective." First GE executive: "Great work boys. Bonuses all around."

Quoting:"Great work boys. Bonuses all around."

Linux saves money for more obscene bonuses? "Gack!!" or "The Ultimate Incentive For Management"?

> ...or "The Ultimate Incentive For Management"?

Do you really think management is motivated by anything else?

> Do you really think management is motivated by anything else?

I've worked for MegaCorporations for a lot of my adult, working life. The answer here is "Yes, at times, management is motivated by something other than money."

One thing that a lot of upper managers are motivated by is displays of raw power. That manifests in making people do work they don't want to do, like prepare propsals over weekends and major holidays. Oh, yeah, and working overtime without pay. That's a big one for a lot of mid-level managers.

I've always been surprised by how many major proposals are due just after Thanksgiving, or on January 2nd. It's really, really weird.

> I've always been surprised by how many major proposals are due just after Thanksgiving, or on January 2nd. It's really, really weird.

They want to "hit the ground running".

Shut up, been there done that. Got post-traumatic psycho-boss disorder.

> One thing that a lot of upper managers are motivated by is displays of raw power

Been there, done that. In my experience, that's far less common however. Maybe I've just had better bosses.

I think it's a big juicy, hugely greased palm.

This old song is so mouldy I'm surprised anyone still uses it, or thinks anyone will listen or sing along.

With so many failing businesses getting government handouts measured in the $billions, this could be true right now.

Businesses used to compete for $millions in sales, or $millions in investor capital or $millions in venture capital money.

Why work so hard to earn $millions when you can fail and get $billions?

1) Hire lots of employees that you cannot afford to pay 2) Buy lots of expensive tools that are prone to failure to use in running your business (i.e. Microsoft Windows ) 3) Seek Bailout from federal government 4) Retire and become a lobbyist

You see, if you actually use stable and secure tools like GNU/Linux, this might result in savings that could cost you $billions in bailout dollars.

Don't take that risk! Use Windows to ensure your failure.

Quoting:3) Seek Bailout from federal government

Except with the LSE, it was a 'Bail In" and it Bangalore / Linux and not the feds who came to the rescue.