I would agree to some extent.  I was not trying to introduce oranges into your apples.   In the 80's the owners of dBase, Ashton-Tate, found that they actually made more sales when they removed their copy protection which was common during the mid to late 1980's. For the old timers they will recall CopyIIPC. I find Windows with all it's draw backs to be more cost effective than Linux for the Desktop.  Twice I have attempted to go Microsoft free.  There is a substantial learning curve for Linux on the desktop.  I find for me it is best to buy a Dell with the Microsoft o/s pre-installed.  All I have to do is load a few applications and configure the network. However I do prefer Linux over Windows in servers.  My Dev box runs Linux.  It is great. I find most of this is just the cost of doing business.  ------------------------ Keith Smith (520) 207-9877 PHP Programmer --- On Fri, 7/4/08, Jason Spatafore wrote: From: Jason Spatafore Subject: Re: OT: Re: windows SUCKS!!! To: "Main PLUG discussion list" Date: Friday, July 4, 2008, 4:27 PM On Fri, 2008-07-04 at 15:11 -0700, keith smith wrote: > > So if someone decides not to go with windows and use Linux, is there > not a learning curve there also. > > What about the cost of learning a new programming language every 6 to > 10 years? Is there a cost to that? > > Writing and re-wringing software is there not a cost to that also? > Writing an app for DOS then migrating it to Windows, then more > windows... then making it web based or browser based. What next? > Doesn't this cost too? > > What if we were still with DOS? WOW most of us would not have a > job. > Keith, I respect your view here. But I must ask you...why are you comparing apples to oranges? Activation has absolutely no bearing on making a product better nor does it have a bearing on *advancing technology*. It was implemented to *reduce costs* and has not done so. I made no attack on progress...I made an attack on wastefulness. Windows Activation is 100% waste. (Much like any activation.) If people want to steal, they will steal your product. Windows XP SP3 is on it's way out....$20.00 says pirates have activation disabled within a week of release. Don't punish your users for the immorality of a few. --------------------------------------------------- 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