Hi Scott,
One of the others at this site posted this but I may be able to provide some
insight into why this sought of thing turns up in SLUG lists.
Scott Ragen wrote:
> What has this to do with Linux?
It may have something to do with M$ position that Linux is a revolt that must be
"put down". e.g.: M$'s "Naked PC" campaign, and the M$ chief, Jim Allchin, who
said, only 2 weeks ago, that freely distributed software code such as rival
Linux could stifle innovation and that legislators need to understand the
threat. It is M$ who have positioned us as "The enemy".
There is also obvious humour here and a great many sluggers have a sense of
humour that responds to anything that ails an organisation whose executives and
staff constantly deride anything non M$.
>
> I mean, Why pay Microsoft out for something that no-one can control?
Because M$ believe they can control everything. Allchin's comments of Feb. 14,
were initiated by him, not anyone else, they weren't a response to anything.
They were directed at legislators in the US and are only the tip of the
multimillion dollar M$ Lobby campaign to stifle anything they perceive as
competition.............. A little humility is good for their souls.
>
> I despise it when people that have to pick on every little problem that
> Microsoft has especially when its not their fault.
Poetic Justice:
e.g.: Users who have received faulty distribution media and have to wait months
for replacements ( a breach of consumer laws throughout the world), who have
witnessed the arrogance and FU attitude of M$ and its staff all suffer at the
hands of M$ for something that was not their fault. Not to mention those of us
who purchased M$ product only to find bugs that cost us hundreds of man hours to
identify and circumvent.
>
> There is a place for windows, perhaps not on this list,
As long as they continue to use their financial might in the manner they have
for the last 9 years, as long as they direct their aggression towards Linux,
their name, their behaviour and anything that distracts their aggression will
continue to appear in lists such as this around the world.
> but for the average
> workstation user, what could be better then windows at this point in time.
Perhaps KDE or even Macintosh?
>
> It will be awesome to see Linux take a stand on workstations, but lets face
> it, Ignorance is bliss, as far as windows users see it.
"Linux" is not a corporate, it does not have the structure, financial resources
and directorship of a corporate. "Linux" cannot take a stand on anything
without us. "Linux", as you use it here, is all the coders, developers, users,
newbies and user groups.
"Linux" is you as well. You have written your own brief, take a stand, make a
different style, 'make it so Mr Ragen'.
>
> I am a game fan, and use windows solely for this purpose.
We too use windows on some of our machines, including this workstation I am
using now.
>
> SLUG = Sydney Linux Users Group, not Lets flame MS and every little problem
> they have.
> I enjoy reading problems and solutions on this list, but long "MS stuffed up
> again" threads make me think that Linux users can be worse then MS.
As pointed out above, "Linux" is a co-operative collaboration of individuals for
the benefit of all. You are welcome to make use of the coding and development
benefits of this co-operative, while leaving the lobbying and defence to
others. But don't deny the use of our collaborative tools to those who do rise
to the challenges of co-operative defence
>
> What happened to respecting your "foe"? no matter what they have done?
I think there were some lessons learned in the twentieth century about that
attitude. History is strewn with the deaths of those who did nothing and
allowed those bent on world domination to conduct their aggressive carnage
unchallenged. One common symptom that prefaced all these events was a
restriction of free speech - often self imposed.
Respect the fact that M$ has the power and financial might to stand up to every
government in the world, their financial resources are such that the Australian
Government can't even afford to challenge them under Australian Trade Practices
Law in Australian courts. Not to mention that even after the US Government got
their judgement against M$ in court, the power of M$ is such that the majority
of major PC manufacturers are still frightened to supply a PC without an M$
operating System.
Respect also, the not altogether paranoid fear, that an OS product could have
secret back doors that could cause great grief to any organisation, including
governments, who challenge or displease the developers - especially if the
source code is a developer's secret. NB: more than a quarter of the NT 4 servers
I see in my work still have the "Netscape" backdoor unprotected.
I believe we all respect that, perhaps even you.
Few would disagree in the face such a foe, it is only the collective response of
individuals that gives our governments the courage to resist the persuasive
powers and siren songs of such a foe.
>
> That's my two Cents
One Slugger is currently fighting for commercial survival due to government
acquiescence in the face of M$'s apparent market dominance and a lack of voice
from "Linux". The list has jolted a number of sluggers to contribute 'voice' to
the skirmish.
Perhaps one day you will be motivated to contribute to this aspect of "Linux"
and I trust that SLUG will still be free enough to allow you and others rising
to the challenge of the day to collaborate, recruit others to the effort and
perhaps even share a little of what you perceive to be humorous at that time.
Perhaps, if you can spare another two cents, you could pen a letter to the tax
office and ask them to make their java ECI client linux compatible. You probably
won't laugh though when they decline because only 60 users other than you have
requested it. So they'll support M$.
>
>
> Scott Ragen
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