Microsoft has been mailing free copies of its pricey Office productivity software to government employees, but CNET News.com has learned that at least two federal agencies are warning recipients to return the gifts or risk violating federal ethics policies.
Since the launch of Office 2003 last year, Microsoft has given out tens of thousands of free copies of its flagship software, which retails for about $500, to workers at its biggest customers. The giveaway was expanded to government workers this year, but ethics offices at the Department of the Interior and Department of Defense have said the offers constitute unauthorized gifts and must be returned.
The Department of the Army went a step further, calling on Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates to stop sending the software to Army personnel.
"We ask that you cease immediately the mailing of free software, and other types of gifts, to the Department of the Army personnel," Deputy General Counsel Matt Reres said in a Feb. 19 letter seen by CNET News.com. "Your offer of free software places our employees and soldiers in jeopardy of unknowingly committing a violation of the ethics rules and regulations to which they have taken an oath to uphold."
The issue comes up as many governments are looking at open-source alternatives for Office and the Windows operating system. The British government has been evaluating a switch to the Linux OS, while open-source software is also being eyed in Korea, China, India and even at some local agencies in the United States.
Full Story @ CNET News.com
Posted by Muddy at March 10, 2004 04:26 PM | TrackBackhahahaha... I find this too funny.
Microsoft the great and mighty saviour of the IT world has become so desperate they are become AOL. Soon you'll be seeing massive amounts of "Free" Microsoft crap being shoved into your mailbox, pleading with you to upgrade to the next version of ultra buggy software. I think they should name their next version of windows "Chock full o' Holes" and package it will "Chock full o' Nuts" coffee. That way you can drink lots of coffee to keep awake while downloading the five thousand patches you need every week to keep it up and running.
Muhahahahaha my plans with Mr.Jobs are FINALLY being implemented. Soon My clones of OS X users will dominate the world! Muhahahahahahaha!
Posted by: Shutternutz at March 10, 2004 08:58 PMI can't believe people actually still use (or BUY) Microcrap products. There are som many free alternatives that work better without viruses, popups, windows 'media', and all the rest of their crap.
Posted by: bennyhill1978 at March 11, 2004 09:05 AMYeah! What Benny said!
Posted by: shutternutz at March 11, 2004 09:59 PMSad to say it Benny, it's mostly the U.S. as the majority of the world is beginning to realize the power and freedom of Open Source.
Posted by: muddy at March 11, 2004 10:08 PM