Again - I will point out that unless you are speaking about specialized
software (video production, audio production, cad), the software cost is
probably not likely to be much more than 10% of the total cost of
ownership of a specific computer system.

A Windows vs. Linux argument isn't going to win on dollars because much
of the software costs are hidden and they simply don't know how much
Windows cost or how much they are paying for Microsoft Office and they
most people aren't concerned whether Microsoft has a monopoly or not. I
think that recent events such as the city of Munich are evidence that
Microsoft is losing their monopoly.

Linux / open source / free software has the following benefits and this
is really the message...

- software that you can use on any computer that you choose.

- software that you can modify as you choose, that upgrades without
cost, that performs the functions that you need in your business, your
home, your home based business.

- software isn't subject to the whims, fortunes or acquisitions by
competitors and other corporate debacles, thereby rendering your
accounting, your data, your documents into a relic state.

- software that is reliable, continually improved and incrementally
updated (as opposed to unreliable, and updates available only at a
cost).

- software that isn't advertised on television, radio, magazines etc.
because it is free.

best to stay on message - BSA is either relevant to the users or it
isn't. Microsoft's wealth and success isn't relevant.

Craig

On Tue, 2003-07-15 at 16:28, Lee Einer wrote:
> Look like a nut? I respectfully disagree. Bill Gates already makes so 
> much money that if he dropped a $1,000 bill it would not be worth his 
> while to pick it up. Despite this, the greedy bastard is bent on 
> achieving and maintaining absolute monopoly. This is not arcane 
> knowledge, but rather something that most people are aware of. Most 
> people just aren't aware of the alternatives to M$.
> 
> Give 'em hell, Vaughn!
> 
> Lee Einer
> 
> Digital Wokan wrote:
> 
> > I think painting Microsoft and a company out for "World Domination" 
> > will only make you look like a nut.  While us geeks make get a smile 
> > and a laugh over pictures of Hitler redone with Bill Gate's face, the 
> > average commuter will probably tune you out as just another extremist 
> > on a soapbox.  You have to get people to understand how Microsoft's 
> > control over their computer will affect their bottom line and their 
> > quality of life.  (Particularly quality of life as people understand 
> > that their bottom line will normally take a hit to guarantee them 
> > comforts.)
> > Discuss the ideas of having software that you only buy once and then 
> > are generally freely upgraded for life.  (Telling them it's free to 
> > get in the first place may trip the too good to be true off switch in 
> > their minds.  And Linux requires time to either install or order 
> > pre-installed.)
> > Perhaps talk about Microsoft's need to have their computers phone home 
> > when a person is surfing the Internet and checking their honesty and 
> > integrity.
> > Talk about Microsoft's recent problems with spammers using Windows to 
> > send out porn and leaving the unsuspecting computer owner (don't use 
> > the word "user") taking the blame for sending it.
> > Talk about Microsoft's plan to have people renting their operating 
> > system, so even after they spend several hundred, if not thousands of 
> > dollars buying a computer, they still won't be able use it to do 
> > anything without paying Microsoft rent.  [Rent vs the appearance of 
> > ownership (the current perpetual licensing scheme) usually raises 
> > hackles of people.  Most people would rather own something than rent it.]
> >
> > I'm sure others on this list can give you some good alternatives to 
> > coming on and talking about Microsoft's mission of world domination.
> >
> > Vaughn Treude wrote:
> >
> >> Hello everybody:
> >>
> >> Just letting you know that I talked Ernest Hancock into having me on 
> >> his radio show this coming Friday, July 18th.  It's on KXAM 1310 AM 
> >> from 7 to 9 in the A.M.  I'll be talking about Linux vs. Microsoft 
> >> and the latter's quest for world dominance.  The other guest will be 
> >> Stu Krone, a computer security expert who will be examining the issue 
> >> of vote fraud on computerized polling systems.  If you're up that 
> >> early, I invite you to listen.