--- John Hebert <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Doug is making a very good point, and it is > basically that Microsoft's > advertising and lobbying campaigns are doing what > they intend. > > I believe (hope?) that as there are larger-scale > system failures that > decision makers will consider other OS alternatives > and ask vendors to > supply solutions based on those alternatives. The > problem is that Microsoft > learned early on what the secret to selling software > is: establish de facto, > proprietary standards and defend them at all costs. > > Think about this: those institutions that should be > safety and security > conscious are using the same OS that pimply-faced > gamers use, basically > because that's what Microsoft sells. Providing more > choices would be more > expensive for Microsoft to supply, so a lot of time > and money is spent by > Microsoft to convince consumers to buy the same OS > at work that they use at > home. > > John Hebert >
There used to be an expression "No one ever got fired for buying IBM." Iternational Business Machines (IBM) was THE UNQUESTIONED GIANT. Often, it was not the best choice, but is was a career-smart move. If you were heading the project, and you had IBM behind you, you were safe. It was industry-standard, state-of-the-three-years-ago-art, and should have worked. Sometimes, to the surprize of all involved, it did. If it didn't, and you wound up with the over-budget, can't-make-it-work, egg on your face, you could shrug it off. I bought the best in the business, and we couldn't make it work. The project was doomed from day one. It mattered then. That was when a guy went to work for a company and stayed there. These days are different, except in one very large, very strong market. The Goverment is the last stronghold of the loyal employee. You can join the US Army at 17 and claw your way to the Joint Cheifs of Staff. You will drag 30 years of experiece and expertice with you, and be invaluable. You will also drag your beliefs in what systems you have worked with. Most of those systems were designed by Microsoft. No one ever got fired for buying Microsoft. Today is Thursday, Ocotber 16, 2003. Microsoft announced five major security flaws in Windows XP, 2000, 98, etc. The value of Microsoft stock went up $0.35 per share after their announcement of a new security initiative. Propaganda works. Sad but true. If Hitler, Stalin, and De Gaul could not spell that out, I do not know what could. Welcome to the real world. Marketing matters. There is only one force more powerful than special interests in Washington - You and I. We have to be vocal, and angry though. We aren't there yet. They are watching us, Joe, Don, Alice, Harry, Marge and Clide. They are watching. Doug > -----Original Message----- > From: Doug Riddle > To: [email protected] > Sent: 10/16/03 2:06 PM > Subject: Re: [brlug-general] The truth is finally > out... > > --- "Shannon B. Roddy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > wrote: > > It just freaks me out that anyone would use > Windows > > on any kind of > > safety system. > > > > Shannon > > You like SAC/NORAD, The Space Shuttles, The Space > Station, and the NAVY? 8-; > > > _______________________________________________ > General mailing list > [email protected] > http://brlug.net/mailman/listinfo/general_brlug.net ===== Warmest Regards, Doug Riddle Be Good, Seek To Act Fairly, Be True to Your Soul. If that fails, always shoot for center mass. I've never had a dead man bother me. __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Shopping - with improved product search http://shopping.yahoo.com
