'Dazed, confused' at LinuxWorld Philippines 2005

Okay, for want of a catchier title, I just had to steal Richard Linklater's. It sums what I felt about the rest of LinuxWorld Philippines 2005, anyway.

Let me clarify: I enjoyed the event. It gave a much-needed boost to spreading the gospel about Linux and Free/Open Source. It contributed to the 'cause', in general. But...

Microsoft. Okay, so I'm guilty of googling after the 'Babes'. They're a sight to behold, with their succulent smiles and inviting curves, and their promise of X-Boxes if you attend the MS sessions. I dare anyone — anyone — who didn't stare even for just a millisecond. I mean, who won't? 'Nuff about my excuse.

As Jijo Sevilla said, something just didn't feel right. Microsoft in a Linux event? They're typical MS marketing hoopla: loud music, flashy videos, even flashier women with pearly-white smiles. Yeah, I've been to some, but hey, I'm an IT guy, I get to cover the ground. But in a Linux event?

(They were at Philippine OpenSource Conference 2004, and man, they created such a big fart {pardon the term}. I mean, from the moment that Microsoft guy {something Ayson, related to PhilMusic's Jim Ayson?} started spewing how MS servers are more secure than Linux, all hell broke loose. It took Imperium fellow Jay Contreras to mollify the crowd, but even then there were still rumbles and mumbles. But at the sound of freebies {free Windows "security" kits}, all hell broke loose again — a mob moved toward the front of the stage. What a sight.)

And now, this. Okay, it is understandable for organizers to include Microsoft in any IT event: money moves. But I don't know if it was sound judgement to include them in an event that calls for their demise, or at least diminishment. Them talking about "interoperability" in a session on the last day was, for me, merely a palliative.

Just like the rest of the Microsoft episode at LinuxWorld — colorful booth, wild and loud audiovisuals, barely disguised methods to bribe (and pander to) the crowd — MS comes true to their calling: spreading fear, uncertainty and doubt, smoke and mirrors all.

A sight to behold, yeah: it certainly got my attention. But I'm sticking to Linux and F/OSS, thanks. Got dazed and confused, too, Microsoft, with your smoke-and-mirrors tricks. And, oh, it will always be a pleasure to see you (and your 'Babes') leave. ;)

(On a side note, I hope I don't hear any snide comments on how Microsoft is objectifying women and some such remarks. Hell, Novell did it, too, and so did others (F/OSS advocates among them) in conventions and events elsewhere. Yeah, that doesn't make it right, but let's not get high and mighty here. That's free market for you — you want it, live with it. Unless you want to change it, which is another matter altogether.)

LinuxWorld Philippines 2005 photos available at my Flickr account: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ian-dexter/tags/linuxworld2005.