Re: uninstallation

[Mitch Stone <mstone@vc.net>]

In reply to Christopher Pall's message sent 1/26/98 12:00 PM:

>Depends on what your goal is. If your goals are big, you might not have 
>enough
>influence all by your lonesome.

Since you ask, I felt all by my lonesome for a while, but not for some 
time now. I will admit to feeling more or less dispirited from time to 
time, especially when I read the remarks of people ostensibly opposed to 
the Microsoft monopoly straining every brain cell trying to figure out a 
way to make a Microsoft monopoly palatable.

>
>I'm a sinner in this department, but alot of people are happy with Microsoft
>products. To defeat Microsoft by boycotting, you are going to have to
>
>a) convince them that Something else is better
>b) To change despite the fact they already are very happy with what 
>they've got

A point of order: I have no desire to "defeat" Microsoft. That would be 
foolish. Of course, Microsoft may term the very existence of any 
competitive open space a defacto defeat, but that's their peculiar 
attitude. No reason we should accept it.

My operative theory is that everyone should act in their own informed 
best interests. Honestly, how much of that is going on today? Even from a 
reading of posts to this list (composed of a rather elite group of 
thoughtful people), I find more than a few of us going through logical 
contortions to find cause to disparage Microsoft's few, straggling 
competitors. I certainly find little support for rallying to their cause.

>And how are you going to do this? With information? The consumer is very much
>like a doubting Thomas, they are very unlikely to change their tune unless 
>they
>use a competing product at some point. If you just tell them they 
>shouldn't use
>MS from a purely ideological standpoint, you aren't going anywhere. zip zero,
>nowhere, nada.

Ideological? You make the entire idea of consumers acting in their own 
best interests sound so, well, dogmatic. Honestly, I will admit that the 
boycott as a concept works more as a marketing gesture then a practical 
matter. But I think it has more snap, then say, "please compare and 
consider the alternatives before you buy another Microsoft product."

   Mitch Stone
   Editor, Boycott Microsoft
   http://www.vcnet.com/bms 
 +---
   To go against one's conscience is neither safe nor right. 
   Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. --- Martin Luther