[P1] OT: Keep Internet Explorer or MS products?

[Donald Keenan]

On Sunday, January 26, 2003, at 06:43 PM, Jack Rodgers wrote:

> On Sunday, January 26, 2003, at 02:26  PM, Brian Pearce wrote:
>
>> I think the point I was trying to make is that many people take these 
>> positions based largely on an irrational fear of Microsoft, without 
>> having any real knowledge or understanding of what the company does 
>> that one might find so objectionable. They dislike Microsoft mostly 
>> because it *is* Microsoft.
>
> Microsoft produces server software that is insecure and it provides 
> visual basic which is a favorite tool for email viruses. It also is 
> trying to pry into everyone's computer. It does not follow industry 
> standards but tries to control them as can be seen in html and java. 
> And it has a long history of crushing competitors by its monopoly in 
> operating system software. There used to be 20 years ago 10-20 
> operating systems.
>
> Perhaps you need more information on what the company does to help you 
> form your opnion?  :)
>
>

Microsoft has become a state sanctioned monopoly in a way and a monopoly 
with none of the responsibilities of something like the old AT&T.
But I think Linux and open source will begin to become a business 
efficiency that will change the tech landscape. This might start first 
with servers in the business world.
Unfortunately, the University
I work at has just begun to expand the influence of Microsoft servers 
but I hope this trend is reversed.
Donald