[Am-info] Naked PCs from Wal-Mart

[John Poltorak]

On Sun, Mar 03, 2002 at 03:14:38PM -0500, John J. Urbaniak wrote:

> Now what could the demand be:
> 
> 1. Folks who want to install an alternative OS, like Linux, or OS/2 or Be or
> eCS?
> 
> 2. Folks who have Windows 98 or NT or ME who want a faster machine, but don't
> want to pay for another copy of the OS?
> 
> I suspect lots of 2's.  It may be counter to Microsoft's license, 

Does Microsoft explicitly forbid this?

Are they legally allowed to do so?

Supposing I have a computer which came pre-installed with Windows 95 many 
years ago, and it expires. Does my Windows license live on after the 
machine? These are important questions and it would nice to know what 
Microsoft's response is. If I have bought Windows 95 and the computer that 
it ran on is no longer functional am I really expected to but a new 
Windows license? If so, what have consumer rights groups got say about 
this? If it was some other industry and say my car stopped working and it 
was uneconomic to fix it, but I had just put four brand new tyres on it, 
it would be absurd if someone attempted to prevent me from transferring 
those tyres to a replacement car 

> but I'd love
> to see MS try to sue all the Mom's and Pop's out there who already paid for
> Windows once and don't want to pay again.

I really would like to see some reaction from Microsoft to this move by 
Walmart. 

The Windowless PC may cause far more damage to Microsoft than the DOJ is 
ever likely to do.
 
> I bet this one is making Gates hop up and down like Rumpelstiltskin.

Wouldn't it be great to get a Walmart ad for Windowless PCs sent straight 
to Gates' house? :-).

Wonder what strategies are going through his perverted mind... If he makes 
some fuss it will help stimulate demand. If nothing is said, then it 
amounts to saying that the license agreement doesn't mean anything and you 
are free to copy Windows to your brand new Windowless PC.

I guess Bill Gates' mouthpiece, the Business Software Alliance will be 
launching a massive campaign soon. If that happens, then you know Walmart 
are doing very well with its new offering. 

 
> John

-- 
John