I meant to put a smiley after the "world domination" bit. I didn't want to
get too far into the details, particularly since I don't know how much time
I'll have to talk. What I was planning to say, given the chance, is that
the US vs Microsoft antitrust suit was a waste of time, and probably
counterproductive, since MS has switched from abusing its OEM's to supporting
anti-consumer laws such as the DMCA, CBDTPA, and UCITA, and in the ultimate
bit of silliness, has even tried to tie open source to the threat of
terrorism. I do appreciate your suggestions - especially about their rental
schemes. I see Linux as a way that people can maintain control over their
own systems and their own data. That's why Munich chose Linux, even though
the offer Microsoft made them was cheaper.
Vaughn
On Tuesday 15 July 2003 18:40, you 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.
> >
> >Vaughn Treude
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