On Tue, 10 Nov 1998, Jim Self wrote:
> Gambit is not a chess opening. It is a type of move that feigns a serious
Hi Jim,
Strategies are *composed* of tactics (gambits, skewers, pins, et al.)
This includes openings...end of chess metaphors? Hadn't really intended
to debate chess - time is limited and I have some projects that require
screwing up! (And I am the man for the job. ;-) Incidentally, prior
to becoming a dad I spent every Friday/Saturday evening at my local where
I would play chess with my colleagues - with a pint of Newcastle at the
ready! I heartily recommend it (the ready pint that is...)
BTW, Microsoft publishes a book on chess by Yassir Sierawan - it is the
only M$ book on my bookshelf. Not a bad one either. I'm surprised
Gates didn't demand partial authoring credit. TFIC here.
> I am not saying they didn't make a serious error here, only that if you view
> this like chess against a clever opponent you must look deeper and rule out
> the possibility that it could work to their advantage in the larger field.
Their money and avarice *will* work to their advantage, despite their
manifest stupidity and arrogance. However, too many blunders (like not
offering elected officials a cut of the proceeds) will do them in...
Gates' greatest error is in taking himself seriously. In that manner he
has become `old and embarassing' (Paul Weller). Nice to see him wearing
a Belgian Creme Pie. ;->
You know, on reflection there is another error (linked intrinsically to his
fondness for himself - created in his grandmother's image, if we go back
a bit in his developmental history. `Triumph of the Nerds', the film,
offers some interesting insights on his character pathology...)
That error is the cult flavour of M$_at_Redmond (probably elsewhere as well.)
Inbreeding may foster loyalty but it produces more stderr than anything else.
> I have no way of knowing whether this is an intentional move by Microsoft to
> bolster its claim that it is not a monopoly or a complete surprise to them. If
> it is a gambit their situation vs DOJ must be very desperate. They may also
> have given away much more than they realized.
>
> Here is something from CNET which echoes my suspicion - as a given.
>
> http://www.cnet.com/Content/Reports/Trends/Linux/?st.cn.fd.gen.gp
> <blockquote> Microsoft is taking the matter in stride. Recently, the company
> proclaimed Linux a competitor to Windows NT in order to prove that Microsoft is
> not a monopoly--and thus help its legal entanglements.
> </blockquote>
Hmm...not quite the same as leaking a memo that proposes one do precisely
what one is accused of doing, eh? Especially whilst ensnared in legal
difficulties. And it is interesting to note that the mainstream media
has offered the view that the current legal difficulties are predicated
upon Gates' not taking Congress `seriously' (a non sequitor to be sure)...
If any case, continued arrogance and bad management (whether gambit or
faux pas) will not address the current problem. Only exacerbate it.
On this point we seem to be in agreement.
> That, of course, would be the point of such a gambit, however, I think that
> Microsoft is much more concerned, for the moment, with the desktop because that
> is where the big dollars are and that is the source of their leverage into
> other markets, including the server market. If their legal situation is indeed
> threatening to break their desktop monopoly then they could well consider
> giving ground and taking big losses on the server in order to maintain control
> of the desktop. This retains the possibility of attacking the server at a later
> date.
Perhaps...but I think the fact that Linux is the only unice gaining market
share in the server arena is a bonafide concern...Linux hasn't made a dent
in the desktop realm. Yet. I personally dislike RedHat quite alot.
I am a FreeBSD/Slackware adherent. (Why ape System V when BSD does almost
everything better - and since FreeBSD has iBCS2 it can now do the one thing
formerly *owned* by System V: running commercial apps well.) Anyway,
we haven't made a dent yet - but RedHat is aiming to create a GUIified
version of Linux where the sh prompt is hidden from all but the true hacker.
If (nay, when) they succeed M$ may see some numbers not to their liking.
Obviously the real concern will arise when Gateway2000 (et al.) offer Linux
boxes to consumers. But it hasn't happened yet.
> >It is possible that this gambit is rather clever and thus eludes me totally.
> >God knows I find the brilliance of win98/NT equally elusive!
>
> It may be that they have misinterpreted and underestimated the emerging forces
> represented by Linux and Open Source, but with an entity like Microsoft, it is
> only prudent to seriously consider the possibility that this error is
> intentional and the result of careful analysis.
We agree more than you may think...Microsoft is a formidable opponent.
But formidable foes make big errors, simply based on their girth.
And it is probable that this is a blunder rather than a thoughtful tactic.
Anyhoo, back to my bread and butter. Nice chatting with you James.
Veterinary medicine, eh? Got any code? It does peek my curiosity.
Cheers,
Tom
Tangential matter follows...
On the way to work today, listening to Gang of Four, I couldn't help but
wonder if there isn't a way M$ can adapt one of their slogans:
`Look at the world through your polaroid glasses...things'll look a whole
lot better for the working classes.'
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