Re: Just wondering...

[Mitch Stone <mstone@vc.net>]

--- From a message sent by Simon Cooke on 12/28/98 6:11 PM ---

>I know this list is called the "Appraising Microsoft" list, but from some
>of the participants - Mitch, who runs the boycott Microsoft site, Jamie,
>who spent a spell on the MSNBC Technology BBS trying to convince everyone
>that MS was up to no good, etc etc, I get the feeling that a more accurate
>name would be "Anti Microsoft".

Speaking for myself, I started the boycott site as counterbalance to the 
lopsided media coverage of Microsoft, and their miserable failure to 
address the issues at stake -- which is not so much of a problem today as 
it was 30 months ago. As you must already know, the web is populated by a 
great many "hate" sites, and mine is not among them.

In fact, I'm probably one of the friendliest critics Microsoft has these 
days -- I've got nothing vested in the company's failure, nor do I have 
much use for the antitrust suit. But I'm genuinely sorry to report that, 
as far as Microsoft (and evidently) its employees are concerned, the 
entire concept of legitimate criticism is beyond comprehension. And that, 
as I've said to more than one Microsoft employee, will be the company's 
downfall -- not us.

Incidentally, you should dial up the REAL anti_m$ mailing list some time. 
You'll discover a level of pure, unbridled rage that will likely shock 
you, perhaps sufficiently that you will dash straight back here for a bit 
of friendly discussion of the issues... assuming you are interesting in 
the issues, of course.

Mitch Stone
mstone@vc.net