As for what Roy talks about in length, I do not disagree that a user wants to plug and go any machine (That was the idea behind the QL anyway), however the Windoze approach of packaging everything and then put artificial barriers to other software manufacturers (with usually better products) is not only wrong but unethical as well.Why is it unethical. It is what most manufacturers do. It is business. They copyright parts of their products and sell the spares. I cannot see where these artificial barriers are. I can run any software written for Windows on a Windows machine.
Then don't complain just don't use it. The problem with all this discussion is that people could do just that. If they all used an alternative O/S then Windows would sink. Maybe that will happen with LINDOWS or whatever it is called now but they have had the MAC alternative for years and few have budged.
I have NO problem whatsoever with Microsoft putting everything (and the kitchen sink) in an OS, however I do want the choice to remove it when and HOW I please.
Microsoft implies that Windoze cannot operate without their packaged software (which is a blatant lie as proved by many researchers and companies of course)No, they have only said that it would not operate as they wanted it to without I.E. and I know that you can remove this after a fashion.
and they have used their dominant position in the market to reinforce their client "conditioning" having as a result firm supporters of their software packages like many people on this list :-) (hehe).This is called marketing and every large firm does it. I agree that I do not like it and I also hate McDonalds, IKEA, large supermarket chains and all of this globalised homogenised world that we have allowed the big boys to create by our own basic laziness.
The problem is that they use lies and at least I for one do not like to be lied to...
I'd much rather hear from M$: "That's the way we want to sell it, take it or leave it" instead of lame excuses regarding "necessity" and (blah-blah-blah)... We (As humans) do not like to be lied to right? We should we give a company the right to lie to us?I suppose you never turn the TV on in the US then.
Why is that they are different (and better) than the rest of us anyway? Yes, I know it sounds like a philosophical more than practical reasoning for rejecting Microsoft practices, but isn't ethics what separates us from the beasts?As I said so many times no one forces anyone to use it.
No, I do not confuse them. I say that the concept of a bare bones O/S is as out of date as a Caxton printing press and should be laid to rest. It is only purists who think it is valid.
Truth is in the final analysis (like Roy has done) that we tend to mix the definition of an OS with an integrated Operating Environment. These are TWO different and completely separate things.
Yes it is good to have a machine ready out-of-the-box (nothing wrong with that,. for example you expect your new car to be able to be driven on the road, not having to buy tyres for it, but at least you SHOULD have the choice of what tyres you want on it). And ON THAT EXAMPLE, Microsoft has run a SERIES of ads regarding the ability of their software to assist on "mass customisation" (another obscure Operations Management term :-) ) and denying the same possibility to its clients is kinda dumb wouldn't you agree? Plus dammit! It's ONLY software which means it can include EVERYTHING you want (if it was made right anyway ;-) and produce it on a whim (ie with an automated CD-burner Software ATM kind-of-thing (see latest news on Comp-USA stores) ) without significant costs to them -or to the consumer!.I think you got as little carried away there none of that makes sense and the argument that you can only use M$ software on a M$ machine was put to rest ages ago. I use very little of it at all.
You are not forced at all. You get some bits for free with Windows. When it first came out it had very little in it and now it is brim full of stuff. You may not like it but it is there. It now costs considerably less than it did back then. So how have you been forced to pay for it.
There are indeed many M$ software packages that are working pretty nicely but why should I be FORCED to pay for them anyway? Not when I can get similar -or better- software for free at least?
Really, this thread is turning into an excuse for people to air their own particular rants
Time to go back to taking about QLs.....or shall we discuss the licence again?
--
Roy Wood
Q Branch. 20 Locks Hill, Portslade, Sussex.
Tel: +44 (0) 1273 386030 fax: +44 (0) 1273 430501
web : www.qbranch.demon.co.uk
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