Microsoft denies sabotaging Mandriva – Nigerian Linux computer deal
By Ruben Francia
Microsoft has denied sabotaging Mandriva’s deal with the Nigerian government to supply Classmate PCs from Intel along with a customized Mandriva Linux operating system.
Mandriva recently closed the deal with the Nigerian government and the initial order of 17,000 PCs is now on their way. However, the Nigerian government informed the company that once the initial order had been filled it will terminate the agreement and switch to the Windows operating system instead.
Microsoft denied using dirty tactics and argued that Nigera is free to use whatever software it thinks best suits its needs.
In an emailed statement to Vnunet, Microsoft said it “strongly believes that individuals, governments and other organizations should be free to use the software and other technologies that best meet their needs. We believe Microsoft offers the best overall option of value, integration, interoperability and support, without complexity or added dependency on services.”
“Microsoft has a strong relationship with the government in Nigeria and will continue to partner with government and industry to help meet their needs. Microsoft operates its business in accordance both with the laws of the countries in which it operates and with international law.”
Earlier, Mandriva’s CEO Francois Bancilhon expressed his disappointment with Microsoft, saying in an open letter to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer that Microsoft spoiled the deal between Mandriva and the government of Nigeria over Intel’s Classmate PC.
Wow! I’m impressed, Steve! What have you done for these guys to change their mind like this? It’s pretty clear to me, and it will be clear to everyone. How do you call what you just did Steve, in the place where you live? In my place, they give it various names, I’m sure you know them.
Hey Steve, how do you feel looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning?
Of course, I will keep fighting this one and the next one, and the next one. You have the money, the power, and maybe we have a different sense of ethics you and I, but I believe that hard work, good technology and ethics can win too.
It’s becoming more even more apparent that Microsoft perceives Linux as a real threat, and as this incident suggests, it will do what it takes to maintain its marketshare. It does have very deep pockets, after all.
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Read more entries by Ruben Francia.
Stumble It!
November 2nd, 2007
Nigeria is fairly regularly criticized by economic think tanks as being one of the most corrupt nations on earth. The only real response Mandriva could do would be to counter-bribe the right people to get back into the game there.
November 4th, 2007
Microsoft has more stake in the Nigerian ICT project than Mandriva.
Microsoft has established an office in Nigeria since 2000 and does not need to bribe anybody to offer it’s services to Nigeria.
As I have already reported that the so called “Open Letter to Steve Ballmer” was a publicity stunt to attract public attention to a relatively unknown Mandriva Linux.
Now that Mandriva’s CEO Francois Bancilhon has got his 15 minutes, can we move on more relevant issues?
Cheers aand God bless.
November 4th, 2007
Microsoft has more stake in the Nigerian ICT project than Mandriva.
Microsoft has established an office in Nigeria since 2000 and does not need to bribe anybody to offer it’s services to Nigeria.
As I have already reported that the so called “Open Letter to Steve Ballmer” was a publicity stunt to attract public attention to a relatively unknown Mandriva Linux.
Now that Mandriva’s CEO Francois Bancilhon has got his 15 minutes, can we move on to more relevant issues?
Cheers and God bless.
November 4th, 2007
Mandriva–relatively unknown? OMG, what hole do you live in? Mandriva has been around a long time as Mandrake. It is great that MS has established an office in Nigeria so it can exploit the people for low wages. I hope they have established a sufficiently large office to support all the issues they will have with their Windows-based PCs. Mandriva’s CEO doesn’t need 15 minutes and he may well end up taking a sigh of relief that he didn’t get the contract after all since Nigeria is so corrupt. Let MS have it. Corruption breeds corruption.