I encourage you to consider how your statement, "I don't trust Microsoft," sounds to a higher level exec or department head. I don't mean this as a criticism -- I notice there's a tendency for ICs to state their opinions in such a way that hurts their perception.

Namely, if you were to state to a higher level manager that you "don't trust Microsoft", you will come across as a crank. Or a developer who doesn't see the bigger picture.

To improve perception, folks should try to reframe their personal preferences ("I don't trust MS") as risks to the business - "I worry that MS will lock us in to their platform and jack up prices". The former is reputation-harming; the latter is being a savvy 2nd order thinker, who looks beyond just what the MS salesman says.

That would be the first reason I'd give to someone that questioned my "crank" statement.

The next one would be the PRISM connection (Skype architecture, etc), and FISA orders they're surely under.

It's not totally they're fault I don't trust them. Buuuuut, it is partly.

Definitely appreciate the feedback - lucky for me, I have removed myself from corporate tech bureaucracy, become self-employed, and can preach from my poor man's pulpit ;D