Microsoft Was Distributing Ubuntu Linux

Microsoft's Windows Marketplace: "Ubuntu is perfect!" -- Eek! *www.groklaw.net/images/speck.gif
Friday, June 22 2007 @ 09:35 AM EDT
This is too funny not to show you. Microsoft has a site for downloads of various software products, not just their own. It's called Windows Marketplace. Yesterday, for a brief shining moment, you and 10,000 or so other people could and did download Ubuntu Linux from a link on that page -- thank you, Google Cache -- which sent viewers to CNET for the download. According to that page, Ubuntu is perfect:

Note: This is the desktop version of Ubuntu. Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops, and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you'll ever need, from word processing and e-mail applications, to Web server software and programming tools. Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.Version 7.04, named "Feisty Fawn," adds the Ubuntu Studio, a multimedia editing and production suite, to the distribution.​

Heaven only knows that's true, simply perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. The part Microsoft got wrong is it says the license is "Free" and "No limitations". Actually, the GPL does set some limitations, like what you are responsible to do if you redistribute.

So you know I'm not making it up and because Microsoft already removed the page and I know that even in Google cache it isn't long for this world:

*www.groklaw.net/pdf/ubuntuMS1.jpg​

And here's the part about no limitations:

*www.groklaw.net/pdf/ubuntuMS2.jpg​

Click to expand...

*www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=2007062209235346
generous MSFT; eh?