I think it's quite possible Palladium could be Microsoft's downfall. People seem to put up with an awful lot from MS (after all, XP is selling) but this is going too far.
Apple did the right thing regarding legacy software for legacy hardware by making their OS up to a certain date free. Microsoft will still prosecute if they find out you're using unlicenced copies of Windows 3.1! It happened here in Australia a few years ago; a charity organisation who reconditioned old "junk" PCs to give to children and schools who couldn't afford new year, and in turn gave job training to those were doing the reconditioning, were hammered hard my Micro$haft Australia because the copies of Windows 3.1 were exactly that, copies. So they wanted this charity organisation, run with virtually no money at all, who was doing a great service to the community at the same time saving heaps of PC junk from landfill (and computer waste is nasty for mother earth), to pay something like AUD$200 per licence for each machine! That's what Windows 95 cost at the time! (though, ironically, Win3.1 worked a lot better than Win95) If memory serves me correct, Apple actually helped this guys out by letting them install an old version of MacOS on any old Macs that came through (which was admittedly rare 'cuz we all hang onto our old ones here!); this was before System 7.5.3 was made free, but I do remember seeing the friendly letter from Apple on TV. Making legacy software available for nix does do some harm though for Apple, despite making us feel all warm and fuzzy about them. Not only to they miss out on whatever the OS sold for, but it keeps there products going long after they want them too. As we all know, Macs last forever, which is a great advantage in an era of disposable computers, but I'm sure Apple would rather us to keep buying their new toys instead. That's my theory on the high system requirements on OSX, not only to make the system solid enough for the next 17 years but to get people to finally buy some new hardware. LowEndMac.com has a lot to answer for here, after all, I've bought 5 Macs in the last 3 months (with number 6 coming in a few hours) and not a single cent went to Apple! Cheers, Ben. ----- Original Message ----- From: Peter Stephenson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Vintage Macs <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, August 01, 2002 3:28 PM Subject: Re: OS copyright > Take a look at this stuff. It's pretty scary. This software discussion could > become > irrelevant. It could only be these old klunker computers with their > forgotten software that are "safe." > > That would make that unadultereated classicII in the closet the only safe > solution. > > > > It's all ready there !!!! > > > > Pete > > > > http://madison.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=6671&group=webcast > > It's a couple of weeks old, but take a look at their FAQ > > http://portland.indymedia.org/front.php3?article_id=13754 > > PBS.org - The end is near > http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20020627.html > > The Register - MS to eradicate GPL, hence Linux (and Mac OS) > http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/4/25891.html > > > > -- > Vintage Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... > > Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | > -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > > Vintage Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml> > The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> > Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/vintage.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > > Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com > -- Vintage Macs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> Vintage Macs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/vintagemacs.shtml> The FAQ: <http://macfaq.org/> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/vintage.macs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
