Microsoft Hatred FAQ

[David Schwartz]

Roedy Green wrote:

> On Wed, 26 Oct 2005 19:50:07 -0700, "David Schwartz"
> <davids at webmaster.com> wrote, quoted or indirectly quoted someone who
> said :

>>    There is no different to Microsoft beween a bare computer and one
>> preloaded with Linux or FreeBSD. One can quickly be converted to
>> other with minimal cost of effort. In the market, bare PCs really do
>> compete with Windows PCs.

> You think it is OK to force someone into a choice of committing a
> criminal act with the alternative of losing their established business
> and having to put 8 employees out of work. What religion do you belong
> to?

    You often say things that just seem to have come out of the blue with no 
connection whatsoever to anything else. What criminal act was someone forced 
into committing? What are you talking about?

    If you have a business that sells PCs only because those PCs come 
preloaded with Windows, and without Windows to offer, there would be no 
market, then you have a business that exists at Microsoft's pleasure. The 
same thing would be the case with any piece of software by any manufacturer.

    Now, not all manufacturers would use their leverage, of course. But 
don't you think it would be pretty stupid of them not to? Why shouldn't they 
get from you, and why aren't they entitled to, as much as the ability to 
sell Windows is worth? Since, by your own admission, it's what made it 
possible for you to be in business?

    You say you couldn't stay in business without the ability to sell 
Windows wholesale. That means that every customer you get, in some part you 
owe to Microsoft. Why shouldn't you pay them their fair share of that?

    DS