Although the famous American firm has often been denying Open Source virtues, we are discovering some proof that Microsoft could feel threatened by Linux and OpenOffice.
Microsoft recruiting its CSI - One announce recently posted on Microsoft recruitment website suggested that the company could be scared by Open Source Companies. The announce said that they were looking for someone from the competition to fight against Linux and OpenOffice which are among Steve Ballmer's biggest concerns. This manager will be in charge of the CSI (Commercial Software Initiative) whose mission consists in developing the trade war against Linux and OpenOffice or more precisely to work to influence key audiences (people from the government, marketers, journalists, etc).
OS as a threat - Of course, we could have suspected that Microsoft would be actually afraid of Open Source, in particular of Linux and OpenOffice since its directly competes with its most lucrative products which are Windows and Microsoft Office. But if you ask Microsoft, it will only deny Open Source software qualities as if they are not real competitors for the corporation.
However, all the efforts possible will not be sufficient : Open Source softwares are growing and even a giant like Microsoft seems unable to stop the proliferation.
References :
L'esprit Libre ZDNet Blog: Microsoft recrute un responsable de la concurrence Linux et OpenOffice
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