Scarlet Pruitt

(IDG News Service) — In an effort to win big government and institutional contracts when up against Linux, Microsoft Corp. is prepared to draw from an internal slush fund to offer its software at deep discounts or even for free, according to a published report. According to Thursday's online edition of the International Herald Tribune (IHT), then top Microsoft sales executive Orlando Ayala sent an e-mail last July authorizing senior managers to draw from a special fund in order to win contracts where the software giant looked likely to lose against open source Linux software. "Under NO circumstance lose against Linux," the IHT quoted Ayala's e-mail as saying. Microsoft representatives in the U.K. declined to comment on "leaked or speculated internal documents" Thursday but did issue a statement saying that "the issues raised in the (IHT) story touch programs that t... (more)

Opera unleashes Swedish Chef on MSN

(IDG News Service) — Niche browser maker Opera Software ASA is taking a swing at software giant Microsoft Corp., releasing a new version of its Opera 7 for Windows browser that operates normally on every Web page but one, that of Microsoft's MSN. The new browser, dubbed the Opera 7 "Bork" edition, translates the language on the MSN page to that of the famous Swedish Chef Bork from The Muppet Show. Why the Swedish Chef? According to Opera's Chief Technology Officer Hakon Lie, "The Swedish Chef is probably the most famous Scandinavian in this generation and he's also very ha... (more)

HP Thailand launches Linux laptop for $450

(IDG News Service) — Hewlett-Packard Co. (HP) has begun selling inexpensive, Linux-based notebooks in Thailand, in a move that underscores the open source platform's growing popularity in emerging markets. The notebooks are being sold as part of a push by Thailand's Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) ministry to offer the public affordable PCs. The PCs come with a preloaded Linux operating system (OS) and went on sale last week for US$450, a representative for HP in Singapore confirmed Friday. The notebooks were made to fit certain feature and price requirements set ... (more)