For me MS is going to be part of the world for a long time, even if the company self destructs next year. And a Large portion of software will work only on MS, if I want to use any of this software I will have a compatible platform. I would love to have the core API's used open sourced and see wine get the funding to work with it. But that's unlikely. -----Original Message----- From: plug-discuss-bounces@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of Wayne Davis Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 11:05 AM To: plug-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us Subject: Re: The inevitable eventual cost of computers. Sounds great... BUT: Until linux becomes MUCH more plug & play, the "average" consumer will balk. I am no fan of M$, make no mistake. However, I have, of late been contemplating moving to Win7. Actually BOUGHT the Win7PRO and have installed it on another boot drive. It is EASY, It is MUCH more compatible with stuff on the shelves. I know, I know, Linux does what they do for free, faster, more secure, Blah blah blah... Bottom line is ease of use, and THAT it isn't, at least for power users.... yet? We shall see. I personally hope it succeeds. I also personally hope something radical and new replaces it too. :-) On 07/27/2010 09:25 AM, joe@actionline.com wrote: > How much is computer hardware *really* worth? > > This week, India announced a new $35 tablet PC > > How low do you think computer prices will eventually go? > > And how long do you think new PC hardware will sustain $500 and higher > price points (due to the built-in M$ tax of $100 to $500 per unit)? > > Is it not inevitable that the actual/true value of PC hardware and > complete computers will continue to shrink ... and radically? Consider the > ubiquitous electronic calculator at the now typical full retail price of > about $1.00. > > And now that Linux is taking over an ever greater share of all > computer-powered devices ... how much longer do you think antitrust M$ > will be able to get away with holding baseball bats over the heads > computer manufacturers and retailers? > > > CONSIDER ... a few excerpts from the India announcement: > > Kapil Sibal, India's Minister for Human Resource Development unveiled a > prototype touch-screen tablet PC that has been in development for five > years. > > The initial target price is ... $35 US. > > This new tablet PC is part of India's push to provide high-quality > education to all of its students. It also has a solar power option. > > Of course, it is a Linux-based computer with web browser, multimedia > player, PDF reader, Wi-Fi, video conferencing ability, 2GB RAM, memory > card, USB ports, and expected to be available next year. > > Students from the Indian Institute of Technology co-designed motherboards > for it. They say the eventual price could be $20 or even as low as $10. > > See a photo and read the original article here: > > - - - http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20011536-1.html - - - > > > YES! ... Linux powered computers will rule the computer world ;) > > It is inevitable. It is just basic economics. > > $10.00 computers with a $100-500 M$ tax added (and for an inferior, > inefficient, bloatware, permanently virus, worm, and spyware infected > system) just won't fly. > > The eventual victory is in sight ;) > > > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss --------------------------------------------------- PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss