Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Latest News
    • Servers

    Microsoft Leaks Another Glum Valentine

    By
    Spencer F. Katt
    -
    January 7, 2002
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      El Gato was amused to see that Microsoft may be having as much trouble stopping internal memos from leaking to the press as it is providing a secure operating system.

      The latest memo that found its way to the Kittys litter box is a scorcher from Brian Valentine, a vice president of Microsofts Windows division, regarding the threat Linux poses to Redmonds reign. Ironically, the Dec. 26 memo, sent to the companys worldwide sales, marketing and services group, also blasts the leak of an earlier e-mail. Apparently, the previous leak included Microsoft staff and customer names, which were then made public on the Web.

      “That made me mad. I want you selling and supporting our products—not having to take random calls, e-mails, etc. from the press and others. … I have no problem with any random Linux person sending me hate mail, junk mail, adding my e-mail address to every list server out there—that comes with the job—but I dont want my friends to have to deal with the same junk,” Valentines memo said.

      Valentine warned that “I used to run Exchange—so if you think I am not tracking this message, think again. … I want to give you folks all the information I can in a very open way. If we continue to have bad apples or careless people out there, I will not be able to help you by sending this kind of information.”

      The memo then goes on to illustrate just how seriously Redmond views Linux: from developing a community to cooperating in winning business from Linux to establishing a new Linux/Unix escalation campaign and debunking the myths around Linux, such as the perception that its free.

      Interestingly enough, Valentine cites an “independent analysis” commissioned by D.H. Brown that will look at the issue of server consolidation, saying that “the D.H. Brown report will be customer-ready and will help them understand just how competitive Microsoft is in this arena.”

      “Sounds like this is one analysis thats bound to be independent and objective,” laughed the Lynx.

      A friend of the Furball whos one of the 50,000 or so laid off by Nortel claimed theres a rise in used networking gear being traded on eBay and similar outlets.

      According to the Katt crony, due to the second-hand market, Nortel started a project division about six months ago to handle the recertification or reconfiguration of used Nortel telecom gear for customers that bought the gear from another source (such as a failed telco or Local Exchange Carrier).

      The friend of the Furry One claimed that even Passport switches have been auctioned on eBay recently. “So, dont just assume your staff is looking for only Obi-Wan Kenobi action figures when you catch them tooling around eBay,” cackled the Kitty.

      Spencer F. Katt can be reached at spencer_katt@ziffdavis.com.

      Spencer F. Katt
      Spencer F. Katt, the Whiskered Wonder, has been the mascot and tipster extraordinaire for eWEEK and its predecessor print publication PC Week since 1984. The Gadabout Gatto makes the rounds of the high tech centers of the U.S. and beyond in search of news and gossip about the products, companies and people that keep the IT industry in top gear. By day he can often be found padding about the exhibit halls and briefing rooms searching for tips about the latest breakthrough products. By night he haunts the sushi bars and watering holes his ears alert to the merest whisper about a big round of venture capital funding or a blockbuster corporate buyout. The often tart-tongued tabby is always ready to share his own views about the inside stories behind the headlines. 

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Cloud

      Yotascale CEO Asim Razzaq on Controlling Multicloud...

      James Maguire - May 5, 2022 0
      Asim Razzaq, CEO of Yotascale, provides guidance on understanding—and containing—the complex cost structure of multicloud computing. Among the topics we covered:  As you survey the...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×