Microsoft denies sinking Linux project (Windows XP is suddenly cheaper)
Date: Friday, November 24 2006 @ 16:38:03 EST
Topic: Bull!!
SOFTWARE GIANT Microsoft has denied slashing the price of Windows XP in a bid to get Birmingham City Council to drop its Linux project.
Brummy Birmingham had planned to roll out 1,500 Linux PCs in its
libraries, but in the end converted just 200 PCs. Apparently it
'suddenly found out' that Windows XP was cheaper than the free open
sauce software.
According to ZD Net, top British Vole Nick McGrath said that
there was no 'special deal' offered to Birmingham. Birmingham IT chief
Glyn Evans said that Linux was dumped after the result of a trail. He
said the council did not seek a better deal from Microsoft but didn't
say whether Vole had given them one anyway.
Bob Griffiths, international secretary at SOCITM, the association for
public sector IT professionals confirmed that Microsoft had been
"involved in negotiations" with Birmingham.
It seems that councils are learning if they threaten Vole with an Open
Sauce project, Windows XP mysteriously is made more attractive.
Similar aspersions were cast upon the London Borough of Newham after it
reverted to Windows in 2004 after trialling Linux, although it denied
it.
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