[Am-info] One take on Geoffrey's post...

[Gene Gaines]

Jeff,

Thanks for your comments below.

Good people have made many contributions to the list over the
past years.

The Microsoft issue is far from resolved, and deserves continued
discussion.  I could write lots on that subject, but I think it
would good to let those on the list give their views.

In any event, I thank Geoffrey for coming back and stirring things
up.

As to Fred.  He sees Linux as his way out of Microsoft.  I applaud
that.  It is difficult for this list to be only about Microsoft.

I will say, strongly, that it is no longer an issue whether
Microsoft is a bad company and an illegal monopoly.  So, to some
extent, then is it not a valid topic to discuss alternatives?

Consider that no one seems to want to look into the issue of SCO
and the extend to which Microsoft is financing, supporting, or
pulling the strings of the anti open source actions taking place
today.  I don't see how one can ignore open source as the only
force that might take us past Microsoft domination.  But, I will
be equally supportive of Lindows, BSD, BeOS.  I never looked at
OS/2 (heck, I can't even remember the proper label) because I
did projects for several major banks and it became clear that it
had no hope; a shame, if IBM were to support OS/2 tomorrow, I
would do my best to adopt it; trouble is, IBM did not see selling
to the personal market, by pricing and promoting only to the
business market they lost the cause.

Enough.  What do others think?

Gene
gene.gaines@gainesgroup.com

On Friday, August 29, 2003, 4:42:34 AM, Jeff wrote:


> Hi All,

> If we stuck to the precise criteria that Jamie had in mind when he set up
> the list, then yes, perhaps the list is past its prime. However, I have
> always enjoyed the randomness of the threads, the level of discourse, and
> the friends I've made here which, at least in my opinion, trumps all that is
> "official" about am-info.

> Indeed, this list has always been more a reflective forum than one that
> perhaps has not proactively tried to change things as other forums,
> (although I have taken ideas and thoughts first germinated here back into
> the academic realm for further analysis); yet by its very existence this
> list has elevated the Microsoft problem above the parapets so that the likes
> of Cem Kaner, Wendy Rolm, Declan and others have been able to further the
> cause more thoroughly into the media, the law and academia. So I would
> respectfully disagree with Geoffrey that this list has had it. It evolves
> much as the original question at hand has and will continue to for many more
> years; for instance, take a look at what's happening to M$ in Europe...

> As for Fred, well, we've beat that one into the ground. If I look at the
> stats, it reflects what I have always perceived as the activities of the
> "core" of the list, Mitch in particular. Many of Mitch's posts have posed
> interesting questions and trenchant observations, particularly in the early
> days. As a result, he has been able to expand his online punditry, so good
> for him. John U's postings have always reflected the simple outrage of one
> who has been directly harmed by the very nature of the behaviour in question
> on am-info. This is so critical to the discussion, as it is easy to forget
> the human toll in what is essentially an artificial world of bits and bytes.

> Geoffrey, you too were a great contributor, and I can understand your
> leaving over Fred's activities, but this list is the sum of it's parts, so
> to bail without trying to through something into the ring to liven things up
> is disappointing.

> Anyway, I certainly appreciate the value of am-info, and when Sujal, or
> John, or anyone else brings something to the table, it is always of
> interest, even if the flow isn't as steady as it once was. Perhaps we can
> all think about new contributions to throw into the ring to stimulate the
> discussion; but as for letting this list die, that's rubbish...

> Cheers,

> Jeff


> 07764-944781


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