Summary: Poor reporting describes as commendable Microsoft’s attempts to occupy Iraq and marginalise Free software

THE cables that we got from Cablegate helped teach us what US contractors were doing in Iraq software-wise. They were deploying a good deal of Free software.

Thanks to some nice propaganda piece from Bill Gates’ mates at the Huff & Puff (and AOL, the owner) we know that Microsoft is trying to reoccupy Iraq now. The language in this report is Orwellian, e.g.:

Decades of war and UN sanctions have created technology shortages in Iraq and the government’s limited supervision has overwhelmed the market with illegal software products.

When the term “illegal software” is used what they often refer to is non-Microsoft software. We have already shown how Microsoft’s lobbyists, such as the BSA, love to pretend there is no option but to use Microsoft. Cablegate teaches us the truth on this matter. For a more sobering take on the news, see the comments attached to the report above. We should expect low-quality reporting from the Huff & Puff now that AOL is just a vassal of Microsoft.

Iraq should learn from Iran what dependence on Microsoft can cause nationally. █

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