Coming from an Amiga background (not a wintel one), it's not unlike a case of de_ja_vu looking at this debate...and of course, surely appreciated :) However, I really have to wonder of the merits such war declaration would have...seems to me, MS have (and continue to) hold and fight for the huge slice of market they have, and of course in a coporate sense, we should not find it surprizing they would want to expand on this...and in sight of and notwithstanding their business wranglings in court against various and sundry, ultimately the choice remains with the >individual< If I was to suppose myself a lawyer, I would be considering closly the argument that if a person really wanted to run linux on their PC, they could, without even having any contact with MS themselves in anyway. It is where marketting stratergies infringe on individual's rights at this level, that the user should be worried about. Anyone can still go out and get a linux_dist and stick it on their PC even though that same machine was purchased by them, from an authorized MS reseller of the installed (mainly) win95 software. In real terms, and whether right or wrong..ethical or not...the end equation is big_bucks_RAWK. Having worked for an ISP (and still doing home training) visiting computer/internet 'newbies' about some of the base things about their shiny new purchase and internet procedures with browsers/email and so on...I can tell you in the most part, none of them were even aware, understood, knew of, cared about or even knew of the existance of linux..or any other issues. Their entry into the world's computer fraternity was based on other issues, such as price, compatibility, and a need to run a system more or less totally compatible with their friend's systems, what their children's schooling necessitates, or what the support sticker says on the box of a game/bit_of_kit in the local computer store. Nothing more. Believe me, it's this end of the market where the war has already been won...if I had this behind me, I think I could buy my way into or out of anything I damn well liked. <grin> As it is though, I'm nearly always broke...and surely thankful to the powers that be, that it *is* the way it is, because the existance of the MS product in the way that it has become, ensures me lots of work training people and fixing/upgrading hardware bitz and this pays the bills. (sic :) At any other time, I can relax infront of the rhl box. Does reality care? Db troublewiththespacebarkey -- PLEASE read the Red Hat FAQ, Tips, Errata and the MAILING LIST ARCHIVES! http://www.redhat.com/RedHat-FAQ /RedHat-Errata /RedHat-Tips /mailing-lists To unsubscribe: mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] with "unsubscribe" as the Subject.
