Whilst I agree with the sentiments of those that subscribe to this list to escape M$ stupidity and carping on about it, I would however be interested in any information that can help avoid paying the "Microsoft Tax" whenever I buy a computer. I have now installed a number of Internet gateways for people (Linux of course) and it irks me to the point of aggression to be told by hardware sales people that I have to have a M$ OS on the hardware even though I have absolutely no use for it and furthermore I'm actively installing a competive product. I've been told all sorts of crap about it being "the law" that the hardware must be supplied with an OS (and of course it's just too hard for that OS to be Linux as M$ is pre-installed at the factory)
Does anyone have any worthwhile information (not just bitching please) that I can use to address this issue, (threats that I can make to the hardware vendor that will have them grovelling on the floor and promising to change their evil ways most welcome). Are any sluggers interested in lobbying (ACCC?, Linux vendors?, the G'ment). Not being a lawyer and all I'd be very happy to hear that what the hardware vendors are doing is breaking an Aussy law, (given that I'm being forced to buy my competitors product, in order to conduct my business one would hope that in a country like Oz this would be seen as rather less than "a fair go"). rgds Pete -- SLUG - Sydney Linux User's Group - http://slug.org.au/ More Info: http://lists.slug.org.au/listinfo/slug
