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Mandriva: Microsoft changed Nigerian minds over Linux

Tom Espiner ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 01 Nov 2007 17:31 GMT

The chief executive officer of Mandriva, François Bancilhon, has taken Microsoft to task over the Nigerian government's alleged decision to wipe Mandriva Linux software from 17,000 school computers and install Windows instead.

In an open letter, Bancilhon claimed Mandriva developed and recently closed a deal to provide computers to Nigeria's schools. The initial batch delivered was 17,000 Classmate PCs from Intel, with a customised Mandriva Linux operating system, according to Bancilhon.

However, Mandriva claims it has now been told that the Nigerian government will replace its Linux distribution with Windows.

"Today, we heard from the customer: 'We shall pay for the Mandriva software as agreed, but we shall replace it [with] Windows afterward[s]'," wrote Bancilhon. "Wow! I'm impressed, Steve! What have you done for these guys to change their mind like this? Hey Steve, how do you feel looking at yourself in the mirror in the morning?"

Microsoft and representatives from the Nigerian government had not responded to a request for comment at the time of writing.