Thanks for the letter. Not.

Love,

Microsoft

P.S.: Did you hear the news? I think your customers will have fun trading in their View desktops.

P.P.S.: We’re still bigger than you and can put money behind whatever we want because of our other products. Sucks having server virtualization be your bread and butter, don’t it?

Apparently, yesterday’s love letter wasn’t well received, because today Microsoft moved from mud-slinging to tossing it with a rocket-launcher. Trade in your VMware View virtual desktops, pledge us your allegiance and we’ll give you up to 500 free Citrix XenDesktop virtual desktops!

Of course, TechTarget has it covered. Get the story over at SearchVirtualDesktop.com: Microsoft and Citrix lure VMware customers with cutthroat promo.

Interesting quote from Tony Wilburn of Betis Group in the story:

“Has Microsoft ever before had to partner with another company in order to take on a rival?” Wilburn said. “When the No. 2 and No. 3 companies in the industry have to team up to take on the No. 1 player, doesn’t that make the one player look even stronger?”