Ballmer claims GNU/Linux users don't want to pay

Ballmer essentially denouncing GNU/Linux users as "freetards", whilst neatly ignoring the fact that they all have to pay for Windows when they buy a PC, due to Microsoft's monopoly, but then throw that forced payment away when they install GNU/Linux.

GNU/Linux is about freedom, not cost.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• Microsoft
• Ballmer
• freedom
• monopoly
• freetard
• lies
• FUD

[cxpm777]

stop paying this clown ! PIRATE MICROSOFT PRODUCTS !

[Homer101010]

@cxpm777

That's not helpful. Apart from being illegal, it only helps spread Microsoft/Windows mind-share, and they LOVE that ("If they're going to steal [software], we want them to steal ours" ~ Bill Gates).

By far the most helpful thing people can do is to just not use Windows or any Microsoft products at all. Ever. And insist on a Windows-free PC or Windows-Tax refund (or build your own PC), then use Linux.

Hit Microsoft where it really hurts - at the OEMs, where it controls its monopoly.

[Homer101010]

Also note how Ballmer turned his answer into an attack on Linux, even though the question also included Mac OS X, whose users he presumably doesn't consider "freetards". IOW he didn't really answer the question at all.

[MsPwain]

Buy Windows today. Guaranteed to keep you occupied for months installing antivirus, antispyware, anti-everything, updating, restarting and restarting again, no usability, but LOTS of unnessesary eyecandy that your computer can only run, if it is in the top10 super computers.

Windows. Slow... buggy... sloppy... bloated. The answer to all your needs.

[Openbytes]

Ballmer doesn't mention that when things like the humble indi bundle are released, Linux users actually pay more than Windows ones.

If there is such a title as "freetard" I think its more relevant to the Windows users, just look at any BT tracker and see how many of them are downloading Windows "warez"

It could be argued Linux users are more likely to pay since they havent been fleeced for their OS or office suite already.

[boggs2005]

Remember Apple Inc. history MS bought a share of stocks from Apple Inc. sometime in the 1990s. My point is Microsoft will always attack any potential threat to their products in any ways. And since Apple is not a threat to Microsoft so Microsoft is always going to attack Linux.

[emewify]

i would totally pay for software if its good. the reason i use linux is not because it has zero price i use linux because its stable, flexible, and there is very little malware for it and microsoft is a piece of shit and apples products while fairly good they're so restrictive when it comes to what the user can modify im going to pass on that

[butchman1]

Windoze needs a stake driven through its heart... Oh, yeah, that will be Linux.

[SketcherMan2]

Microsoft = restricted and imprisoned . Linux = freedom!

[thebestofall007]

If we pay for something, we want QUALITY, not SHIT, Ballmer. You're just butt-hurt that we can find alternatives that work just as good, if not better in an ever increasing number of ways (that aren't under your monopoly), than the GARBAGE you sell. You always touting "free-market" when it comes to our labor force and job market, but when it comes to software, it hands off. Take your medicine like a man Ballmer, make better products if you don't want us using Mac or Linux, and shut the fuck up!!