[SATLUG] Pokes at Microsoft (off Topic)

[Mike Ester]

On 3/2/07, Robert J Hewitt <hewittrj_78244 at grandecom.net> wrote:
>
> You know it seems to me that everyone including myself seems to take shots
> at Microsoft a lot.  But in true defense to the novice computer user like
> my
> neighbor daughter, the nice family just up the street and even my wife,
> all
> who don't want to learn Linux. (God forbid) but there are a lot of people
> who use both like me.



I'll admit that my first foray into Linux was more out of  curiosity (DOS
6.22 and Win 3.1 was out then).  But as I ventured forth, I found that my
reason for using  Linux and other open-source options was for the freedom
they grant me. I don't consider myself a "software communist", but I despise
the draconian license requirements of proprietary software.

When asked why I choose not to use Windows, I briefly explain that my stance
is mostly philosophical.  I have nothing against anybody who feels they have
to use MS products; I just prefer not to. I don't try to evangelize. I
explain that I can freely give away the software I choose without any risks
of visits from the "Software Gestapo". Then I give examples of outrageous
license agreements in some proprietary solutions (the clause about not using
MS Frontpage to build Web sites that disparage MS is my primary example).

My boss told me about how she tried to buy a new computer for home. She
wanted XP, but she was told that she can't have XP; she can only buy Vista.
Oh, she could buy XP retail for 3 figures, but she would still have to
install it herself, and pray to God she had no problems. I asked her, "Makes
you feel like a valued customer, doesn't it?" I showed her my Ubuntu box on
my desk, and told her that 90% of the tasks I accomplish running the
computer lab are done with open-source tools. I also told her that if we
weren't so dependent on a proprietary software package, my entire lab would
be running on Linux.

I don't browbeat; I just plant the seed where I go and see if it grows.