Microsoft FUD Machine Aims at OpenOffice.org

Roblimo writes "If you're using Microsoft Office and considering a switch to (free) OpenOffice.org, Microsoft would like you to read their Open Office Competitive Guide first, in which they tell you how much better/faster/cheaper MS Office is than OOo. Taran Rampepersad, an IT consultant in Trinidad, believes this "Competitive Guide" is nothing but FUD, so he wrote a detailed rebuttal to it -- and released his article under the FDL so you can feel free to republish his piece or share it with anyone you like, however you like." A followup to this story. Newsforge and Slashdot are both part of OSDN.

What'd you expect...

[LostCluster]

It's the job of Microsoft's marketing people to come up with literature that says their programs are better than anything else out there.

THE SCO Group Recommendation

[linuxislandsucks]

Ten out of Ten SCO Group Vice Presidents recommend MS Office over OpenOffice.org ..oh wait only for unsecure data..ass cahnges show up in wor ddocumetns

Clippy says...

[the_twisted_pair]

It appears you are contemplating jumping $hip. Do you wish to:

[ ] believe our obfuscation of your choices?
[ ] wait until you don't have any choices?
[x] make your own mind up?

Why OO.o is better than Microsoft Office?

[Realistic_Dragon]

When Microsoft is sued out of existance by China, the EU and Asia for anicompetative practice there will still be support for Open Office.

Office compatibility

[alokeb]

Given how many times MS has talked about cross-compatibility of Office one has to wonder why that document itself is PDF???

Re:What'd you expect...

[Libor Vanek]

I'd expect them to leave Evil Empire and start working in FSF as voluntary community job ;-)

rteam

[Anonymous Coward]

3. "OpenOffice 1.1 is an open source alternative."

OpenOffice does not have a dedicated development or
support rteam. Consequently, if bugs go unresolved, users
have the option to resolve problems by scouring through
numerous community sites and chat rooms.

I guess MS Word did not spot the typo.

Re:Ironic observations

[Anonymous Coward]

A couple of things to note about Microsoft's
fud:

1) It's not in Word format. Why not?
Not everyone can afford Microsoft Office,
although everyone can afford Open Office.

2) Microsoft office doesn't export to pdf.
A third party app is required --- unless
of course you open the word document
in Open Office 1.1 and export it as pdf.

3) The fud was written in Quark express on a
Mac --- looks like Microsoft doesn't use its
own tools.

4) Had they written it in Word format, folks
who couldn't afford Microsoft Office would have
to download open office so they could
use open office to view a word document
telling them why they shouldn't use
open office to view word documents.

Re:Two Faced Slashdot

[Anonymous Coward]

The advertisements are there to keep everything Fair & Balanced.

OMG! You're an illiterate retard!

[Anonymous Coward]

This is not a dupe, it discusses a *rebuttal* to the Microsoft FUD, not the Microsoft FUD itself.

Re:Links to www.openoffice.org

[oldosadmin]

There's only one link, ya dork.

I bet you think the moon landing actually happened, too.

Re:Clippy says...

[Hi_2k]

I'm sorry, I can't let you do that, Dave...

Support Groups

[paleck]

*Support: Microsoft says that there is no dedicated team for the OpenOffice suite. What Microsoft fails to realize is that the 'dedicated team' are mainly the users; OpenOffice has a community whereas Microsoft users have support groups.

The first thing I thought when it mentioned the Microsoft users having support groups was group therapy such as AA or ones for Depression!

OMG MS FUD?!?!?!

[Eberlin]

FYI I FSCKed up my PC on RH9 (I take full responsibility, thus PEBKAC) but DLed MDK and installed OO.o and now I say STFU to MS FUD. YMMV though.

OO.o is better TCO and ROI. If you use MS (including IE), you'll need to visit NAI or get AVG ASAP or your machine will be DOA.

Top 10 Microsoft FUD Tactics

[AtariAmarok]

Top 10 Microsoft FUD tactics attacking Open Office:
10. "War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Open is Closed"
9. Chalk-drawn penguins all over New York sidewalks. It worked for IBM (?)
8. Fake COMDEX "OpenOffice" booth set up by Microsoft, featuring Tubgirl as the hostess.
7. Lobbying for "Star Trek 11" film featuring Gates as the leader of the Good Borg.
6. "If you use Open Office, none of the locks in your office building will work any more. Believe me"
5. "If you use Open Office, and if you maintain an erection
more than 4 hours, consult your physician immediately to avoid sponteneous genital implosion"
4. Spreading rumors of Michael Jackson about to sign promotial deal with Open Office folks.
3. Armies of Clippy's seem training with assault weapons in wilderness camps in Idaho.
2. Microsoft claims that OpenOffice smells funny.
1. Planned series of commercials featuring Goatse image with voice-over saying "Open Office, Open Orifice".

Re:OMG! You're an illiterate retard!

[Aldric]

We are seeing an evolution of comments. Rather than merely failing to RTFA, the poster failed to even read the slashdot headline!

Hi. I'm Troy McClure

[Anonymous Coward]

Hi. I'm Troy McClure. You might remember me from such Microsoft propaganda films as "The Triumph of the Bill", "Ballmer Dance 2: Electric Boogaloo" and "Apple: The Evil that Began in 'Genesis'"

Re:I'm already doing my bit

[Da Fokka]

Dude, you're missing the point... Being a college student is about screwing girls (or guys, if that's your cup of tea).

Wait 4 years and you can support OpenSource by trolling slashdot in your bosses' time

Re:meh

[commodoresloat]

I read that document actually.

Then your commentary is not relevant here.

Re:rteam

[Anonymous Coward]

The R-Team...

In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem. If no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire, The R Team.

[Machine gun fire]

Music by Darl McBride

[WIndows crashing]

[BG kicking wooden door in]

[Cylon visor buzzing]

Re:Tools

[black mariah]

Uh... you see it in car commercials all the time. "More powerful than the Camry." "More cargo space than the leading truck in its class." It's called MARKETING. You emphasize your strong points. You don't mention "Has half as many cupholders as a Volvo." or "The seatbelts kind of pull you back in a weird way. It's annoying at first, but you get used to it."

The only maturing that needs to be done is by OSS advocates whose FUD weenies go off every time MS makes a fuckin' press release. "WE HAVE TO RESPOND! They said that OOo is kind of slow!" *yawn*

It looks like..

[dj245]

It looks like you're writing a FUD rebuttal! Would you like help?

*Create a ready-made step-by-step logical argument using a template?
*Use a series of prompts to develop a funny and ironic takedown?
*Develop a detailed plan on how to attack the opponent in a fiery flamepost?
*Pretend to write a logical arument but instead write your own version of FUD with linux references thrown in for karma bonus?
*Just write the rebuttal.

Re:Clippy says...

[abe ferlman]

It looks like you're trying to think for yourself!

Would you like me to
[x]Notify the authorities?
[ ]Display Microsoft Marketing and Re-Education materials?
[ ]Send an electric shock through your keyboard again?

MS Office is the suxx0rz!

[rice_burners_suck]

Since the article is released under this cool license, we should rip it to shreds and rewrite it, pointing to specific examples, empirical evidence, and good solid references. Some good words from businesses that successfully use OOo should be included as well.

Of course, since I'm coming up with this idea, I don't have to work hard to make it happen. Someone else do it for me. I'm busy typing up a report in vi.

vi. Because friends don't let friends use emacs.

Here's the guide, in case Microsoft is Slashdotted

[Anonymous Coward]

Open Office: Cold-blooded Communist
Microsoft Office: Compassionate Capitalist

Open Office: Created by nerds living in their parent's basement.
Microsoft Office: Created by techies in Microsoft's underground bunker.

Open Office: Has naked code on prominant display.
Microsoft Office: Code is decently compiled and hidden from prying eyes.

Open Office: Bugs are reported loudly, increasing fear in users.
Microsoft Office: Bugs are kept hidden from users, so only those who wish to exploit them need worry.

Open Office: Terrorists and dictators can copy it whenever they want.
Microsoft Office: Terrorists and dictators must spend their money purchasing licenses, decreasing the threat to the free world.

Open Office: Uses GPL.
Microsoft Office: Uses EULA, an acronym with 33% more letters.

Open Office: Doesn't make any money for Microsoft.
Microsoft Office: Makes lots of money for Microsoft.

Darl Ballmer

[rice_burners_suck]

In other news, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) today announced plans to release a new enterprise computing application, Microsoft FUD 2004 Enterprise Edition. By leveraging innovative technologies, content providers streamline compelling enterprise solutions.

"Our plan is to automatically generate FUD, to lower the TCO of our marketing department, while simultaneously increasing ROI," said Steve Ballmer in an interview. "Currently, we are spending just too many billions on marketing, and some of those funds could instead be diverted to SCO, er, I mean, to our legal defense department, thereby increasing shareholder returns."

The software is slated to appear in mid Q2 2004.

Six years later...

Microsoft stated that after years of delays, Microsoft FUD 2010 Constellation Edition will be released Real Soon Now (tm).

All properties are the property of their respective owners.

Re:What'd you expect...

[aoe2bug]

Open-Sores eh? I think a Band-Aid is the solution to your problem.

Per seat admin cost cheaper with OO

[Anonymous Coward]

Speaking of Macs. Did anyone else notice that the PDF was made with:

Creator: QuarkXPress(tm) 4.11
Producer: Acrobat Distiller 4.05 for Macintosh

Very funny! :-)
M$Office new install produces administration costs and auditing compliance costs. The per seat admin cost for new OO installation is nothing as OO costs nothing. For a techie, no need to fill out purchase requisition forms which would otherwise result in administratives work for line managers, the purchase department and accounts department and probably a lead time for the user until all the paperwork is completed.

Re:Office and reasons to switch.

[rokzy]

>A grammer checker is the thing that is holding me back from a full fledged jump to an OSS OS

why not just learn correct grammar?

Uh, yes you can...MSDN subscription

[bonch]

Uh, if you're on MSDN, you can. MSDN even had Office 2003 months before retail did.

Re:Currently writing my theisis with OO.org

[Anonymous Coward]

Ahh ... you are the senior programmer for all of Florida. Pretty impressive. [/sarcasm] Do you think you garner more respect by putting that in your signature?

Re:Office and reasons to switch.

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, I had to produced this semster a 143 page paper
Recommendation: Well, I had to produce a 143 page paper this semester.