Microsoft's donated 3.9 billion dollars to non-profits to date

Discussion in 'other security issues & news' started by elapsed, Aug 1, 2011.

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  1. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    http://www.neowin.net/news/microsofts-donated-39-billion-dollars-to-non-profits-to-date
     
  2. Pinga

    Pinga Registered Member

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  3. vasa1

    vasa1 Registered Member

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    I would agree. Giving away their own software has the potential effect of furthering their business prospects.

    But the title really doesn't surprise me. The only effect it has is to diminish the value I give to certain sources.
     
  4. J_L

    J_L Registered Member

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    Bill Gates probably donated around as much.
     
  5. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Didn't they only just donate a ton to a linux distro? I highly doubt that was to make them use Windows.
     
  6. vasa1

    vasa1 Registered Member

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    99.99% related to Microsoft's Hypervisor or something like that? But you know that, I'm sure.

    I'm off to read up about altruism and whether it exists other than conceptually.
     
  7. Hungry Man

    Hungry Man Registered Member

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    Gates himself has donated tons.
     
  8. Pinga

    Pinga Registered Member

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    Please keep us posted! :)
     
  9. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    Actually I don't but I think it was posted here somewhere.*
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 2, 2011
  10. Pinga

    Pinga Registered Member

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    People are assuming things all the time. I for one assume that you will be familiar with the argument that proprietary sofware vendors are responding to the increasing availability of high quality open source sofware by attempting to lock-in customers. Of course Microsoft is not the only one that does this, but their portfolio of methods and techniques - their non-profit programmes included - to achieve such lock-in and to further increase their market share is unparalleled.

    http://amsacta.cib.unibo.it/1789/
     
  11. elapsed

    elapsed Registered Member

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    I disagree. Being "locked in" is not why people stay with e.g. Office, which is simply superior to it's Open Source alternatives in every form. It's quite simple, Bill Gates lead Microsoft, and has left behind his impression on the company. This is a good thing. Imagine if Apple was the dominant force, a company that really doesn't do anything.
     
  12. Pinga

    Pinga Registered Member

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  13. Keyboard_Commando

    Keyboard_Commando Registered Member

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    I read somewhere how Bill this year has sold 90m Microsoft shares @ $27.59 - to donate to charities. He has another 500m at his disposal ... which is pretty mind-boggling.
     
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