Gateway to consumer -- Microsoft mandates we ship OS and apps with every computer

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

RE: Gateway refusal to sell system without windows based upon Microsoft
obligations

This is a letter from Henry Guidry.  He provides a response from Gateway
2000, when he tried to buy a Pentium II computer without Windows, to
test Linux, a non-Microsoft operating system.  Phillip Warren, a Gateway
2000 employee, wrote Henry on March 22, 1998, to say: "Our agreement
with Microsoft mandates that we send every system with an Operating
system with Application software."  I am forwarding this to DOJ and EC
antitrust investigators. 

   Jamie


------
Subject: Linux evaluations
   Date: Fri, 10 Apr 1998 20:29:25 -0500
   From: EGRETLURES@kricket.net (EGRET Lures)
     To: "James Love" <love@cptech.org>

Dear James,
 
I understand that you are evaluating several systems with alternative
operating systems, one of which is Linux. I would be very interested in
knowing the results and your opinions. 
 
I have also attached an email response from Gateway regarding trying to
purchase one of their systems without any software except DOS for our
evaluation of Linux on the Intel platform. The system would later be
used as  DOS only to replace two old AT's that still print much faster
than the 300 MHz Win95 system we have to keep our business apps. on. By
the way, we have had so many deficiencies with 95 that we have ordered
NT as a stop gap.
 
If we can get the business apps. solid enough, I plan to purchase  an
Alpha and start having some serious fun with Linux.
 
It would be deeply appreciated if you would keep us in mind during your
Linux test.
 
Many thanks
Henry Guidry 

     -----Original Message-----
     From: Phillip Warren <gws-warren@gw2kbbs.com>
     Newsgroups: sales.olsales
     To: EGRETLURES@kricket.net <EGRETLURES@kricket.net>
     Date: Sunday, March 22, 1998 9:55 PM
     Subject: Re: system without windows

     Our agreement with Microsoft mandates that we send every system
with an Operating system with Application
     software. 

     Sincerely, 

     Phillip Warren 
     Gateway Internet Specialist 
     gws-warren@Gw2kbbs.com 
     Fax 816 545-3505 
       

     EGRET Lures wrote: 

        Are your systems offered without Windows etc., just the
hardware, diagnostics, and DOS. Planning to evaluate Linux etc. and
looking for a PII w/AL440LX, memory, etc.

      Thanks                                                    
      Henry


     -- 
     ned!