[Am-info] level the playing field

[Lewis A. Mettler]

Joe,

Joe Moore wrote:
> 
> "Lewis A. Mettler" wrote:
> > Sorry. You do not decide how many might want any utility or application.
> I did not try to.  I simply asked "How many people transfer hard drives
> between multiple OSs"?  That would be an upper limit to the usefulness
> (and market size) of cross-platform disc compression software.

Have you heard of dual booting?  A boot manager from IBM, Lilo (Linux)
and System Commander all permit you to install multiple systems on the
same hardware.  If disc compression is supported on multiple platforms
the user can benefit from that technology regardless of which OS they
boot up at any time.  Stac provided that benefit until it was precluded
from the market by illegal Microsoft bundling.  Microsoft's idea is to
write and force sell two different compression schemes so that not even
NT and Windows 98 can both share the same compressed files.

That is just one example of truly stupid engineering by a monopolist and
bundling which at the same time precludes superior technology from the
marketplace.

The same is true with networking technology bundled with the OS.

And, as far as Linux is concerned, it is also true with internet
technologies.

The same harmful affect occurs when applications are only available on a
single platform although if the applications do not have to be purchased
the harm to superior competing technology is considerably less.

> 
> > Neither do you bundle crap in order to force their decision.
> I'm not bundling anything.

Good.  Then you support unbundling.  And, you support being able to buy
the technologies you want to implement instead of what the monopolist
wants to force you to buy, right?


> 
> > IT IS NOT YOUR CHOICE.
> > IT IS NOT MICROSOFT'S CHOICE EITHER.
> The seller decides what to sell.  The buyer decides what to buy.  That's
> what makes a market.

False.  The seller does not decide what to sell at all.  The seller can
only sell what is legal to sell.

But, the real suggestion you made which is false is that buyers decide
what they buy.  That is false in a monopoly.

Only if you have multiple sellers and multiple buyers in fair and open
market can buyers and sellers "make a market".

In a monopoly, that is NEVER the case.  In a monopoly, the monopolist
decides for everyone including you.  In a monopoly there is no decision
made by any buyer.  Indeed, not one buyer has decided to buy IE.  Most
have been fooled and defrauded into doing so.  But, since no one can buy
Windows or Apple without it, it is not a decision made by the buyer at
all.  That decision simply does not exist.  If you vote and find only
one name on the ballot, you are the subject of a dictatorship. Only
fools think they count.  They do not. You are being told who to vote
for.

> 
> > You do not decide what anyone must buy.  No body does.
> I decide what I must buy.  Your statement is false.
> 
> > Do you understand that basic principal?
> Yes.

Then why are you trying to decide what others can or can not buy?

Then why are you trying to decide what others want or do not want to
buy?

Do you decide which clothes they buy and wear?  Do you decide which
foods they eat?  Do you decide where they live?  Do you think you make
any decision for anyone not your responsibility?  If not, then why in
the hell do you insist upon deciding what computer software someone must
buy, install, maintain and use?

That is none of your business.  And, you have absolutely no right to
force any sale of any product upon anyone for any reason.  It is illegal
to do so.


> 
> > Do you understand that you can buy whatever food you want to eat?
> > Do you understand that you can buy whatever cloths you want to wear?
> Actually, the food market has bundles, too.  Go into Burger King and say
> "I'd like a Whopper combo, but since I don't like french fries or onion
> rings, don't give them to me, but instead take off $1.19 from the cost
> of the combo, which is the retail price of the fries if purchased
> separately."  Let me know if it works.

You can buy burgers without fries or onions.  That was my point.

No one is forcing you to eat onions. (except maybe your mommy)

> 
> > Do you understand that you make those decisions for yourself?  (unless
> > your mother still does)
> Err... So you're implying that my mother dresses me and picks out my
> food?  My, how mature.

It was your idea to tell someone what they must do.

I am not telling you what to do.  You are forcing others to buy
bubblegum.

Read the bubblegum deal and tell everyone if you buy the gum, switch
your OS or stop.


-- 
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq.(Attorney and Software Developer)
lmettler@LAMLaw.com
http://www.lamlaw.com/ (detailed review of the Microsoft antitrust
trial)