> Why is this a bad thing (technology-wise), besides the fact that I don't
> want to rent software and that the internet probably can't handle this type of
> thing.
I never said it was a bad thing. I was suggesting that it was evidence of
Microsoft becoming less interested in SELLING desktop software. Whether it's a
bad thing is a personal decision about how you want your software and I agree
with you on both counts in why it'd be a bad thing for me.
> the user experience would be as if s/he had it installed locally -- would
> this still be a bad thing. I'm genuinely curious....
This is a whole new subject from the one we've been babbling about. Whether we
should all run with glee towards server-based software is an interesting
question. For myself, I learned to program and bought a microcomputer BECAUSE
of server-based software that crashed all the time and where I was completely
at the mercy of an MIS group so for me...the answer is a resounding "no
thanks."
> Do we hate MS software because of Bill Gates, or because of the techical
> merit of their programmers, or because of it's environment/culture, or all of the
> above.
Personally, I don't hate any of the above. Frankly, I admire Bill Gates and
for what he/Microsoft has accomplished. Personally I've come to dislike their
operating system as its functions became more and more cryptic and less and
less modifiable. For me Linux is simply a matter of product choice. I'm glad
I have such choices.
Cheers --- Larry
