This new Halloween Document (thanks for the mirror) presents an analysis of the Microsoft “Get the Facts” public relationions campain being run in the UK. ESR, or Eric S. Raymond as some know him, humorously calls it “Get the FUD”, which is an apt description.

In the treatise, ESR analyzes the key points of the MS campaign, which are:

  • Linux isn’t really free because it has a non-zero TCO,
  • To equate Shared Source with Fully Open Source Software,
  • Emphasize migration costs,
  • use the dubious Forrester report to claim that Linux/Open Source is insecure, and
  • Claim that better management toolsets are available in the Windows environment.

    • ESR hits all of these items, in reverse order no less, and does a fair job. He points out RedHat’s counter argument which is really good in my opinion.

    All in all, ESR goes a good job and even does a bit of cheerleading at the end. This article is a must-read for geeks on the front line.

    D-Man