<DIV>
<DIV>Yeah I received it too. I find it funny that an ex-IBM Linux IT architect (who they bought from IBM like they do with all other employee defections) is leading the to be biased discussion. I also worked for IBM on Linux projects and deployments up to 2003 (some very complex and cool cluster deployments and others) and the growth has been nothing but amazing year over year. Microsoft pays for what they call "vendor neutral research". I find that funny and obviously sad at the same time.<BR><BR><B><I>Robert Brockway <rbrockway-wgAaPJgzrDxH4x6Dk/4f9A@public.gmane.org></I></B> wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE class=replbq style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">In the interests of fairness I am forwarding this.<BR><BR>I do however, have to question the independence of anything stated about <BR>Linux/OSS by Microsoft staff at a Microsoft event. I am yet to see any <BR>evidence they really want to work with the OSS community on openness.<BR><BR>Rob<BR><BR>-- <BR>Robert Brockway B.Sc.<BR>Senior Technical Consultant, OpenTrend Solutions Ltd.<BR>Phone: 416-669-3073 Email: rbrockway-wgAaPJgzrDxH4x6Dk/4f9A@public.gmane.org http://www.opentrend.net<BR>OpenTrend Solutions: Reliable, secure solutions to real world problems.<BR>Contributing Member of Software in the Public Interest (http://www.spi-inc.org)<BR><BR>---------- Forwarded message ----------<BR>Date: Fri, 18 Mar 2005 11:15:25 -0800<BR>From: "Harpreet Girn (Intl Vendor)" <V-HGIRN-0gU0zj3qbPVWAm4muGplmA@public.gmane.org><BR>To: rbrockway@opentrend.
net, hgr-FjoMob2a1F7QT0dZR+AlfA@public.gmane.org<BR>Subject: Toronto Linux User Group Online is invited to the Microsof
t
Platform<BR>Technical Briefing Dinner<BR><BR>By way of introduction, my name is Harp Girn. I am the TechNet Community<BR>Manager at Microsoft Canada.<BR><BR><BR>As the leader of a highly technical community, you know the importance<BR>of providing your fellow user group members with the latest information<BR>on the technology alternatives available. Here's a chance for you and<BR>your user group to Expand Your Knowledge and Stay Informed. I would<BR>like to cordially invite members of the Toronto Linux User Group Online<BR>to the "Expand Your Knowledge" Event with Bill Hilf, Lead Program<BR>Manager for the Platform Strategy Group at Microsoft. This complimentary<BR>event will be held at the Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville in Toronto on<BR>Thursday, April 14th, 2005 at 6:00pm. A dinner will be provided. <BR><BR><BR><BR>Hear Bill Hilf speak on the evolution of operating platforms. Gain<B
R>insights into how Linux and OSS have developed, how they are tested,<BR>distributed and
more.
Explore the Ecosystem - who are the players and<BR>who's accountable for what. And finally, get the answers to the<BR>questions on everybody's mind: Are Linux and OSS driving technology<BR>innovation? What is the roadmap for strategic IT planning?<BR><BR><BR>Bill is Microsoft's technical lead for competitive strategy at Microsoft<BR>and responsible for quarterly open source technology reviews with<BR>Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. Prior to<BR>joining Microsoft, Bill was a Senior I/T Architect and the Linux<BR>technical leader for IBM's Global Emerging and Competitive Markets<BR>organization. In this role, he led Linux technical strategy at a<BR>world-wide level in addition to his direct customer interaction as a<BR>consulting architect. Bill has been involved with Open Source software<BR>as a developer, architect, and evangelist for over nine years, and is a
n<BR>IEEE Distinguished Visitor on the subject of Linux and Open
Source<BR>software.<BR><BR><BR><BR>As an added bonus, all attendees will receive the "Expand Your<BR>Knowledge" kit to facilitate your continued learning and evaluation<BR>process. This kit is free of charge and has an estimated retail value<BR>of over $1000. <BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>* Complementary full working copy of Microsoft Windows Server(tm)<BR>2003 Standard Edition operating system <BR><BR><BR><BR>* Microsoft Press Book - Windows Administrator Companion ($43.99<BR>ERP*)<BR><BR><BR><BR>* Product Evaluation Software <BR><BR><BR><BR>Additional information on this exclusive event is included in the<BR>invitation attached. To register, please visit: <BR>http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032271365&Cu<BR>lture=en-CA<BR>or call 1-877-673-8368 (Event ID 1032271365).<BR><BR><BR><BR>Spaces are limited - RSVP soon. If for any reason individuals the user<BR>group
are unable to register, please feel free to email me directly. I<BR>look forward to seein
g you at
the event!<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>Harp Girn<BR><BR>TechNet Community Manager<BR><BR>Microsoft Canada<BR><BR>v-hgirn-0li6OtcxBFHby3iVrkZq2A@public.gmane.org <?xml:namespace prefix = mailto /><mailto:v-hgirn-0li6OtcxBFHby3iVrkZq2A@public.gmane.org><BR><BR>905-568-0434 ext. 26233<BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=600 border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD width=600 colSpan=6><IMG height=161 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/harppics/header_nologo.jpg" width=600 border=0></TD>
<TR>
<TD width=15><IMG height=1 src="http://ca.f880.mail.yahoo.com/ym/images/pixel.gif" width=15 border=0></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left width=365><IMG height=1 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/pixel.gif" width=1 border=0><BR><BR><IMG height=21 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/head_1.gif" width=334 border=0><BR><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1>Join Bill Hilf, Lead Program Manager for the Platform Strategy Group at Microsoft, </FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>April 14, 2005</FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1> at the Toronto Marriott as he delves into a technical evaluation of Microsoft, Unix and Linux based platforms. Its an opportunity to expand your knowledge around these diverse platforms, learn how to implement and deploy your own solutions. A dinner will be provided.<BR><BR><B>Space is limited, please RSVP now by calling 1-877-673-8368 (Event ID 1032271365 ) or to register
online <A
href="http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032271365&Culture=en-CA">click here</A>. </B> </FONT>
<P><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1>Bill will host a questionandanswer period after the Technical Discussion, so dont miss out on this event!</FONT></P>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD colSpan=3><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><IMG height=21 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/head_2.gif" width=128 border=0></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top width="33%"><IMG height=166 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/harppics/BillHilf_119x166.jpg" width=119></TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="1%"> </TD>
<TD vAlign=top width="66%"><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><B>Bill Hilf - Lead Program Manager, Platform Strategy Group</B><BR>Bill is Microsofts technical lead for competitive strategy at Microsoft and responsible for quarterly open source technology reviews with Microsoft Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates. Prior to joining Microsoft, Bill was a Senior I/T Architect and the Linux technical leader for IBM's Global Emerging and Competitive Markets organization. In this role, he led Linux technical strategy at a world-wide level in addition to his direct customer interaction as a consulting architect. Bill has been involved with Open Source software as a developer, architect, and evangelist for over nine years, and is an IEEE Distinguished Visitor on the subject of Linux and Open Source software.</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><FONT face="verdan
a, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><BR><BR></FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=
#000000
size=1><IMG height=21 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/head_3.gif" width=144 border=0><BR>Hear Bill Hilf speak on the evolution of operating platforms. Gain insights into how Linux and OSS have developed, how they are tested, distributed and more. Explore the Ecosystem who are the players and whos accountable for what. And finally, get the answers to the questions on everybodys mind: Are Linux and OSS driving technology innovation? What is the roadmap for strategic IT planning? <BR><BR><B>Space is limited, please RSVP now by calling 1-877-673-8368 (Event ID 1032271365 ) or to register online <A href="http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=1032271365&Culture=en-CA">click here</A></B></FONT><B><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>. </FONT></B><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1> <BR></FONT><BR><IMG he
ight=1 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/pixel.gif" width=1
border=0><BR></TD>
<TD width=17><IMG height=1 src="http://ca.f880.mail.yahoo.com/ym/images/pixel.gif" width=17 border=0></TD>
<TD width=1 bgColor=#ff6633><IMG height=1 src="http://ca.f880.mail.yahoo.com/ym/images/pixel.gif" width=1 border=0></TD>
<TD width=17><IMG height=1 src="http://ca.f880.mail.yahoo.com/ym/images/pixel.gif" width=17 border=0></TD>
<TD vAlign=top align=left width=185><IMG height=1 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/pixel.gif" width=1 border=0><BR><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><BR><IMG height=35 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/head_4.gif" width=105 border=0><BR>To assist you in your continued learning of diverse software platforms, youll receive an Expand Your Knowledge kit free of charge. The kit includes: <BR><BR>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><IMG height=9 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/dot.gif" width=9 border=0></FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT size=1>Complementary full working copy of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Standard Edition operating system</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top><IMG height=9 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/dot.gif" width=9 border=0></TD>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1>Microsoft Press Book </FONT><FONT size=1>Windows Administrator Companion ($43.99 ERP*)</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE id=table1 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0>
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><IMG height=9 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/dot.gif" width=9 border=0></FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1>Product Evaluation Software</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top><IMG height=9 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/dot.gif" width=9 border=0></TD>
<TD><FONT size=1>And More..</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><BR><IMG height=21 src="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/head_5.gif" width=62 border=0><BR>
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<TD colSpan=2><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><B>Date:</B> </FONT><FONT size=1>April</FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1> 14, 2005</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><B>Location:</B></FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT size=1>Toronto Marriott Bloor Yorkville <BR>Forest Hill Ballroom<BR>90 Bloor Street East<BR>Toronto, Ontario<BR>M4W 1A7</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
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<TBODY>
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<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><B>Agenda:</B></FONT></TD>
<TD> </TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>6:00pm7:00pm</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1>Registration <FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>&<BR></FONT></FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>Dinner </FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=left><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>7:00pm8:00pm</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>Technical<BR>Discussion</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>8:00pm8:30pm</FONT></TD>
<TD><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>Q & A</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></FONT></TD></TR>
<TR>
<TD vAlign=top align=left width=600 background="http://www.microsoft.com/technet/canada/images/linux_email/footer.jpg " colSpan=6 height=82><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#000000 size=1><BR><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#3366cc size=1><A href="https://login.passport.net/ppsecure/uisecure.srf?id=42814">Manage Your Profile</A></FONT> | <FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#3366cc size=1><A href="mailto:catnflsh-0li6OtcxBFHby3iVrkZq2A@public.gmane.org?subject=Platform Technical Briefing">Contact Us</A></FONT> | <FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#3366cc size=1><A href="http://www.microsoft.com/info/can-en/cpyright.mspx">Terms Of Use</A></FONT> | <FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" color=#3366cc size=1><A href="http://www.microsoft.com/info/can-en/privacy.mspx">Privacy Statement</A></FONT> <BR></FONT><FONT face="verdana, sans-serif" size=1>*Actual retail price may vary. Price in Canadian dollars a
nd current at time of printing.<BR>©2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Micro
soft and
Windows Server are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other <BR>countries.</FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></mailto:v-hgirn-0li6OtcxBFHby3iVrkZq2A@public.gmane.org></DIV>