Re: Why Microsoft is a Threat to Freedom

Chris Thompson (ct@x4.net)
Tue, 4 Nov 1997 09:31:13 -0500


Holger Wagner writes:
> On Mon, 3 Nov 1997, Lee Daniel Crocker wrote:
> > will do everything in its power to keep it in power. And it won't
> > be because some clueless group of whiners staged a boycott; it will
> > be because someone with courage, vision, talent, and creativity will
> > have made a better product. If you want to hasten that day, fine:
> > don't avoid MS products; just keep buying good ones. Innovation is
> > what kills monopolies, and MS has never innovated in its life.
>
> I agree very much with this! I believe that Linux is one better product -
> but it doesn't "sell", yet.

I've gotten first hand experience with this. I have implemented a few
Linux boxen here at work, and it's an uphill battle. The suits only
care about appearances, and a production box running 'shareware' in a
$3bil/yr company is verboten.

> Some Linux user-groups are starting to actively promote Linux, and I
> think that's the way to go. So, instead of doing anything against MS
> (which will always be wasted energy) - do something *for* Linux (or
> whichever OS you find superior).

I agree. The strides made in the OS in recent months are quite
impressive. It does run better on Sparcs than Solaris does. Dont even
mention DEC Unix. Oracle has had a Linux port for over a year, but
refuse to sell it. They dont see a 'Market'. Today, it's the best
place to do DNS, Web, and Mail. (OK, that's a bit of a personal
opinion creeping in there.)

-C