[Am-info] Gateway Official Hits Microsoft Licensing In Testimony

[John Poltorak]

On Tue, Mar 26, 2002 at 02:24:57AM -0800, Mike Stephen wrote:
> So are you all now beginning to realize what I stated 6 years ago is true?  

That's nonesense. I suspect everyone on this list has known the same thing 
for many years. 

The only way to break the Microsoft monopoly and let other 
> vendors have a fair shot in the market is to separate the hardware from any sales of software.  
> 
> All computers should be priced without an operating system.  At the time of purchase you can decide what to buy. This levels the field 
> for all suppliers that offer Windows as a choice.  It makes them all advertize a cost without the Windows tax.  Therefore all Windows  
> that are supplied by hardware OEM's will have a cost that will be apparent.  
> 
> Therefore no OEM will have a better cost than any other without all OEMs knowing what they paid for it.  Also all computers would be 
> available without an operating system, so that the system of choice could be installed or a license from another machine that has been 
> retired could be used.  

There is no debate about that here. The only problem is getting the msg 
out. Microsoft seems to have effectively silenced all opposition so there 
is no competitor around whom Microsoft dissentors can unite in an effort 
to be heard.

The big PC boys don't want to upset Microsoft by offering naked PCs 
because they will be punished as IBM was by chosing to offer an 
alternative. The courts should have punished Microsoft very heavily for 
doing what it did to IBM when any semblance of an alternative was snuffed 
out. The courts have also shown that they are not man enough to deal 
with Microsoft's past misdeeds and given a strong signal that it can 
continue to penalise uncooperative PC suppliers by the use of 
discriminatory pricing for those who want to offer customers an option for 
avoiding the Microsoft Tax. 

 
> Its the only solution that levels the field, makes a level price for all vendors, and would require no industry effort to manage.
> 
> Simple solution to a simple problem.  Why everyone wants to make it so complicated is beyond me...
 
The simple solution is the abolition of the Microsoft Tax, but there is no 
one lobbying for it.


> From the Desk of Mike Stephen

-- 
John