Re: [tlug] How to Push Linux! .......................

[Josh Glover <jmglov@example.com>]

On 07/02/06, Stephen J. Turnbull <stephen@example.com> wrote:

> >>>>> "Josh" == Josh Glover <jmglov@example.com> writes:
>
>     Josh> That was a mistake by IBM, not any act of kindness.
>
> I don't think IBM's decision should be considered a mistake, given their situation at the
> time.

OK, my choice of wording was a bit unfortunate, but the point I was
trying to make was simply that IBM in their heyday was every bit as
bad as Microsoft is now, from the would-be trustbuster's perspective.

> Ronald "I Can Sleep Through a Nuclear War, and How Could a Man Who
> Can't Spell 'Nicaragua' have Anything to Do with Iran-Contra?" Reagan,

Oh my! That *really* should have warranted a C&C warning! :)

> _Folded, Spindled, and Mutilated: U.S. v. IBM_ fascinated me, but I can't recommend
> buying it, it's heavy going for the non-specialist---if I make it on Friday,
> I'll bring a copy).

I hope you can make it, and I hope you'll let me borrow the book, as
it sounds interesting, and I would like to know more about IBM's
recent history.

>     Josh> Please note that I also grant Steve carte blanche to
>     Josh> criticise me for working for Amazon and using Gmail.
>
> I don't criticize you for working for Amazon.

You are right, you did not. I should have said, "Steve is free to
criticise my employer; I don't take it personally".

I feel like a politician, having to make all of these clarifications
and retractions! ;)

> I'm not entire cool with Gmail, but certainly I'm more upset about your use of a
> thread-damaged mailer than I am about your use of a Google affiliate. :-)

Ah yes, the truth at last! ;)

> I haven't decided how _I'm_ going to deal with the latter (my page was
> once #1 in Japan on Alta Vista and top 5 world wide; search engine
> karma is something I'm very conscious of), but my probable response
> will be to investigate thoroughly and make sure the deal is what it
> looks like, then treat all Google referrals to a 10 second public
> service ad explaining what Google is doing, and maybe wondering

I will do nothing this dramatic (though I admire the strength of your
convictions), but I will blog about this. It is only fair, since I
have loudly spoken of my admiration for Google in the past, that I now
let my disgust be known.

> what the implications are for, say, looking up side effects of cancer drugs
> produced by Google advertisers.

I hope that Google does not give their advertisers priority outside of
the "Sponsored Links" section, but this incident does give one pause
in that regard.

I hate to say this, but when you make a big deal out of your company's
motto being "do no evil", you have better fucking well do no evil.
Otherwise, leave the moral high ground bullshit in the closet and let
us think of you as just another blood-thirsty corporation.

I have nothing against capitalism, but I do have something against
being lied to. I am not "disappointed in" Microsoft, because I expect
them to put profit first. I am not even "disappointed in" Enron--I am,
however, disgusted--they broke the law, they completely fucked over
thousands of their own employees and unaffiliated people who have a
lot of Enron stock in their portfolios, but I expected no better from
a oily Texas businessman.

I am disappointed in Google, because for a few years, I actually
believed that they were different: a profitable company that
nevertheless realised that profit does not trump all other
considerations.

Well, the romance is over, and my naïveté has once again led to me
getting hurt. Never again! I am swearing off all emotional
relationships with corporations! ;)

-Josh