__/ [ Mark Kent ] on Saturday 30 September 2006 10:51 \__
> begin oe_protect.scr
> Roy Schestowitz <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>> __/ [ [H]omer ] on Friday 29 September 2006 03:23 \__
>>
>>> Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>>> BBC Looks To Microsoft For Web 2.0
>>>
>>> Weren't they singing the praises of FOSS not that long ago? IIRC they
>>> even had a department set up for it, producing specialised software for
>>> something-or-other.
>>
>> But how can this offer be refused after dinner with Mr. Gates?
>>
>> ,----[ Quote ]
>>| Reliability and the ability to change code, rather than cost, are
>>| driving the increased use of Linux at the BBC, according to Damion
>>| Yates, team leader of internet operations at BBC Technology.
>>|
>>| Speaking ahead of his presentation at the Linux User and Developer Expo
>>| in London tomorrow, Yates told Computer Weekly that Linux is being used
>>| on several projects even though there is no overall BBC strategy to
>>| support open source technology.
>> `----
>>
>>
http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=129999&liArticleTypeID=1&liCategoryID=1&liChannelID=126&liFlavourID=1&sSearch=&nPage=1
>>
>> Among many others...
>
> This is the OSS issue. The best defence of the proprietary lock-in
> crowd is to pitch to the very senior people who just don't understand
> the issues. Big corps, like the BBC, should really look to get someone
> in a very senior position who /does/ understand the issues, in
> particular, understands the problems with DRM, (see British Library for
> more on that one), the problems with lock-in (why should public cash be
> poored out of the UK into a foreign company?), and the advantages of
> open formats (see Bristol, Munich, etc. etc.)
>
> As noted elsewhere, though, a "non-exclusive MOU" is pretty much
> meaningless, although I can see MS's lips slobbering over the
> possibility of getting access to the BBC's publicly paid-for archives.
To be honest with you, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a strategic step
for Microsoft. They would happily pay (bribe) the BBC in order for the
executives to accept the Microsoft shackles (they do this with Web hosts,
mobile phone providers and Web sites) and inconvenience any Brit who does
not comply with the Microsoft Way.
I can recall when NBC became MSNBC and I was no longer able to Watch the
Tonight Show (Jay Leno). The Real Player option was immediately conceded. I
am not alone in this observation w.r.t. NBC.
Although there are no formats-based lockins associated with press in-print,
there are informational lockins (brainwash), so I should probably re-raise
the following:
Bill Gates lends cash to buy newspapers
$350 million to MediaNews
,----[ Quote ]
| Gates involvement has been very behind the scenes. In fact many of
| those involved in the deal didn'teven know he was one of the investors.
| It was carried out through the Gates Foundation, the world's largest
| philanthropy outfit.
`----
http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=33849
Best wishes,
Roy
--
Roy S. Schestowitz | No SCO code was used to generate this sig
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