[oclug] Should we invite Microsoft to an OCLUG Meeting

[Milan Budimirovic]

Michael P. Soulier wrote:

>On 10/05/04 Bill Bourne said:
>
>  
>
>>Microsoft should not be permitted to speak at OCLUG. Whether they are evil
>>or not, I don't know. But they really do not play in either the Linux market
>>or in the Open Source world. (They have no Linux products, and provide no
>>Open Source software). SO they simply don't fall into the mandate and scope
>>of OCLUG.
>>    
>>
>
>True, they do not.
>
>However, the most important thing about OCLUG meetings for me is that
>they are interesting. I think that having an MS-rep at an OCLUG meeting
>would be _very_ interesting.
>
>Actively banning them looks too much like cowardice to me, not unlike
>China banning internet material that they find offensive. If you have to
>go to that length to protect your cause, and can't abide challenges to
>your ways of thinking, perhaps your resolve is not strong enough and
>your cause is not worth protecting. I say this is general, not directly
>at yourself Bill. 
>
>I've seen too many religions uphold ideals by censorship. IMHO, there is
>no such thing as a dangerous idea. I've had many interesting talks with
>Microsoft reps. They usually slinked away, tail between their legs, or
>just shook their heads (should that be plural? sounds like some 2-headed
>monster...) at my idealism. Either way, it was more interesting than
>preaching to the converted. 
>
>As long as both sides are respectful of one another, I see no reason why
>we cannot listen. Disagree, surely, but I listen to people I disagree
>with all the time. 
>
>Mike
>
>  
>
I agree.

I have never been afraid of someone else voicing their opinions and am 
not about to start here. If someone from Microsoft feels that they have 
something interesting to say, that's Linux-related I don't have a 
problem with it.

The only reservations I would have are (1) it would probably not be very 
productive, and (2) some people (myself included) might object to 
Microsoft paying for refreshments, and would rather see the money spent 
go to charity.

Other than that, I don't see what the big deal is.

For those of you who were not around in the early days of OCLUG, we 
initially had a no-MS-bashing rule. Not because we all loved Microsoft, 
but because we wanted to keep the group focused on the positive.