[Am-info] Dell Outsmarts Microsoft!

[Erick Andrews]

On Wed, 14 Aug 2002 00:45:06 -0400, Fred A. Miller wrote:

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>Dell Outsmarts Microsoft!
>
>The PC maker next month will introduce n-Series corporate desktop and
>workstations that ship without Microsoft's Windows, or any other operating
>system, pre-installed.
>
>The new desktops appear to be a slick interpretation of Microsoft's new
>licensing terms and a way to navigate customer demand for PCs without an OS
>installed. The Microsoft licensing terms, which were put in place on Aug. 1,
>specify that PC makers must ship PCs with an operating system. The new policy
>exists to prevent piracy and to better track OS shipments.
>
>http://news.com.com/2100-1001-949671.html?tag=fd_top
>
[...]

I love it!  Yep, FreeDOS is an OS, installed or not!  I'll bet there are
strong words flying back and forth between Dell and MS right now.

This part of the article is really cute on MS's behalf:

"The Microsoft licensing terms, which were put in place on Aug. 1, 
specify that PC makers must ship PCs with an operating system. 
The new policy exists to prevent piracy and to better track OS shipments."

That last sentence...to prevent piracy...in other words, "We know you're
a crooked pirate, so we're gonna preempt everyone to pay.  We know what's
best and will outsmart you anyways".   What a perverse way to treat 
customers, and with 48 Gigabucks in the bank.

-- 
Erick Andrews