Dell dumps linux? [but introduces n-series]

[Bill Horne]

----- Original Message -----
"Jerry Feldman" <gaf at blu.org> said:


> On 16 Aug 2002 at 12:47, Glenn Burkhardt wrote:
>
> > I'm still not sure that the "no OS" prohibition prevents Dell from
shipping a
> > computer with Linux.  They might be using that as an excuse, but it's
hard to
> > believe with the antitrust suit so fresh, that even Microsoft would try
to
> > prevent shipments of linux boxes.  A more likely reason is that
Microsoft
> > wants to prevent users from installing Windows themselves, without
paying a
> > license fee.

> Microsoft is very very paranoid about piracy. What percentage of MS Office
> users have pirated copies. Same goes for Windows.

I don't think M$ is paranoid about piracy, just about buyers realizing **
they have a choice **!

Think about it: if everyone uses M$, it doesn't matter who pays for it.

Experience has shown that computer buyers resent having to replace anything
that comes with the machine, and M$ is scared to death of corporate decision
makers actually having to make a decision. So long as computers come with M$
software, no one replaces it.

As to piracy: they encourage it. Think about that, too: home users won't pay
for M$'s exorbitant rates for software. When forced to shell out money, home
users go for the lowest priced product that meets their needs, and Word
Perfect/Quatro Pro is still viable and costs a LOT less than Office.

What M$ wants if for EVERY employee at EVERY corporation to teach themselves
and their children how to use pirated M$ software, and then show up ready to
use it at work. Q.E.D.: their boss pays for another license. And, in the
bargain, M$ saves all those nasty home-user support costs, deprives it's
competitors of the income, and inculcates another generation with the "just
buy M$" mantra.

FWIW. YMMV. HTH.

Bill Horne