* Edward Comer <[email protected]> [02-25-11 13:09]: > No, Windows is FREE as far as the consumer is concerned. Joe consumer goes > to the local big-box store and buys a computer. It comes with Windows, costs > the consumer no extra money, time or energy, so to him/her it is the same as > free. For joe consumer obtaining a computer without Windows already > installed is very difficult and usually costs more (look at Dell's Linux > pricing). All that joe consumer wants is a computer that will do what they > want, namely browse the web, send/receive email and write a very word > processing documents. They don't care about the OS - they just want to use > the tool. To the consumer Windows IS free because to not have it is > difficult and, in their mind, certainly not worth it. Remember, the vast > majority of consumers do NOT subscribe to this email list because they are > not like you and me - what comes from the store is their only option or at > least the only option that they care about. > > On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 11:56 AM, Patrick Shanahan > <[email protected]>wrote: > > > ... > > Ah, "free operating system (Windows)" > > Definitely NOT free > > Debatable "operating system" > > > > "Free photo management software" > > Merely included in the camera purchase price. Try getting it w/o > > purchasing a camera > > > > "Free product 'Windows Photo Gallery'" > > Another product merely included in the *original* purchase price. > > > > Your John Doe consumer just wants to spend money.... > > >
But you are now speaking of *perception*, not reality. When you make these generality statements, it is necessary that they be put into proper context. There is NO free lunch and windoz is *definitely* NOT free any more than the tank of gasolene the auto dealer may *give* you when you purchase a new automobile. It wasn't free! It is also a fact that the windoz version *included* in the sale of most computers is by law a refundable quantity and NOT a condition of purchase even thou it is not publicized and not explained at sale and *should* be considered a fraudulent action. Try using windoz on a new computer w/o agreeing to an unreadable ula. -- (paka)Patrick Shanahan Plainfield, Indiana, USA HOG # US1244711 http://wahoo.no-ip.org Photo Album: http://wahoo.no-ip.org/gallery2 http://en.opensuse.org openSUSE Community Member Registered Linux User #207535 @ http://counter.li.org -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Google-Labs-Picasa-for-Linux" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/google-labs-picasa-for-linux?hl=en.
