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by James Robertson.
Original Post: If you can't stand the heat...
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This is amusing. Via Blogging Roller comes this quote of a Sun response to an HP complaint:
Once again, in certain of the places this is a statement of opinion by Jonathan Schwartz. His opinion is based on his good faith assessment of the current climate of HP. Alternatively, however, Sun will also stand behind this as a statement of fact that is true and accurate based on the above substantiation. As detailed by the above facts, we have seen signs that HP is abandoning HP/UX. Jonathan Schwartz's opinions and even his vigorous debate on this subject as well as Sun's product comparisons and dialog on these commercial matters are inherent in Sun's competition with HP and are part of the free market system in which our companies operate. For our statements of fact, Sun has valid, objective and verifiable evidence. Accordingly, and based on the above, Sun affirmatively stands by its claims regarding HP/UX and will not agree to cease making such truthful and/or subjective claims.
This all comes in response to one of Jonathan Schwartz' bolg posts - this one here in particular. HP's response to this was to have their lawyers demand a retraction. This is a case where Sun and Schwartz have realized that there's a new playing field, and HP hasn't. Schwartz is out there offering up his thoughts - in public. The proper response for HP would be to get one of their people out there blogging as well - instead they've attempted an old school legal response. What's the result of that? Sun and Schwartz look good - and HP looks like a whining set of bullies.
I've had plenty of comments on Schwartz' blog posts, but I give him (and Sun) a lot of credit for playing in the marketplace of ideas. HP doesn't get it.