Re: Why Linux isn't on the desktop yet

[newslett]

You missed MY point.  I'm not disagreeing with what your feelings are.  I am a huge Linux fan and think MS is the bain of the computer industry bu the fact remains it will be a while before Linux can say it has made serious inroads into MS's stranglehold on the OS market, though, like you, I am confident it will happen.

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Here I must disagree.  Look at China.  MS rules the desktop there.  Note 
I didn't say they buy MS software, they simply pirate it.  So the cost 
stumbling block is of no concern.  One can easily download any piece of 
MS software for free.  I'm not saying it's legal, but it's a fact. Fire 
up any p2p file sharing app and check it out if you don't believe me. 
 And it's not just China, it happens globally, so the price issue is 
only of concern to those ethical enought to pay the MS tax.  As far as 
relinqueshing control, look around you, even in the countries you list, 
MS is everywhere.  Far from OSS being the cancer MS espouses, I'd say 
Windows is a far more malignant cance than OSS could ever be.

I'm afraid you entirely missed the point.

A country cannot build is long term IT strategy on bootlegged software.

It may work for a while and as long as it's not widespread.
Eventually bootleggers hurt themselves in the long run.

Otherwise you could argue that you will build your retirement plan
on the premises that you will steal whatever you will need when you will
retire. I personally don't recommend you this path ;-)

As for "MS is everywhere": yes it is _now_, so what is your point ?

Try telling the millions of people who pirate software every day that.  Once again, I agree with you but most just do not get it that if they had to actually pay for all of the proprietary software (never mind the OS) that they had on their computer, then they might not think they were getting such a good deal after all.  So, teaching people about freedom, beer and speech, is going to have to be one of the first steps.  As for MS is everywhere, I was only pointing out that the cancer has metasticised.. ;-)