Opinion: A Microsoft Exit strategy isn’t just a good idea, it’s vital. It must go a long way beyond a farewell to Redmond

In any case, Microsoft is so deeply entrenched in state digital infrastructure that it seems a practical impossibility to do anything about it. The company has a good 20 years’ lead on its competition in bending the ears and getting its feet under the desktops of enterprise and state decision makers. While the UK government has had spasms of promoting open source — most recently in 2017 — these have seen little enthusiasm and less adoption. As SODGR notes, UK state IT lacks co-ordination, leadership, funding, talent and executive influence. 55 percent of personnel budget goes on outside contractors, analysts and consultants rather than full-time staff…

This might seem hyperbole, but the facts are indisputable. The US is not trustworthy - Trump’s tariffs break existing World Trade Organization-governed treaties, a cornerstone of international regulation. Likewise, Trump supports the removal of regulatory or legal barriers to AI development, so what would happen if the AI lobby asked for access to national data from outside the US? SODGR is silent on this, because it seemed fantastical even six months ago. It doesn’t seem fantastical now.

  • otp@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    71·
    6 months ago

    I guess MSexit wasn’t approved for the name for this. But I thought it was about Mexico, and got confused

  • phutatorius@lemmy.zipEnglish
    7·
    6 months ago

    Even when the US was trustworthy (to an extent), Microsoft wasn’t. And nothing was done.

    So why do something now?

      • laz@pawb.socialEnglish
        3·
        6 months ago

        Even if you disagree with everything someone stands for, don’t be so vile with your words.

        It doesn’t make you look good.

        • dickalan@lemmy.worldEnglish
          1·
          6 months ago

          I am long past the point of caring, I will say what I say and speak how I speak. Shit ass behavior needs to be countered By making them feel uncomfortable

          • Siegfried@lemmy.worldEnglish
            3·
            6 months ago

            You see, “I will say what I say and speak how I speak.” Is the very definition of “Shit ass behavior”

            I prefer USA over russia and china, but lets be real, USA sucks ass. They have brought havok into so many countries just for money that its difficult to keep counting.

  • A_norny_mousse@feddit.orgEnglish
    5·
    6 months ago

    Came here for Moss! It’s not really Moss though, just some stock footage.

    Anyhow:

    [MS] has a good 20 years’ lead on its competition in bending the ears and getting its feet under the desktops of enterprise and state decision makers.

    Yet all it would take would be for those decision makers to make different decisions. Just like that.

    I keep saying: Lobbyism and Cronyism are the main & biggest problem. The reason presumably left-wing and social(ist) politicians make neoliberal, hypercapitalist decisions. Etc. etc.

    We have the resources for a welfare state. Austerity is the very first lie these liars spread.

  • flambonkscious@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    It’s an exciting opinion piece, sure but with the vacuous way everything is organised its impossible for anyone who can competently hold the reins to retain power for any length of time - and that requires someone who can competently lead which seems almost impossible to find in this stupid era.

    These are structural challenges requiring massive expenditure over _generations_that are needed to succeed. It’s a perfect example of the extended sequel “this is not fine” comic - not sure I got that link right.