sherlock@vsnl.com wrote:
Thus trying to lock out FLOSS by means other than technology or market competence. The op was to draw attention to a possibility of legal action against hardware vendors installing M$ products with known and unplugged security holes not to bash windows users or go thru the flogged to death windows is better than linux. Most Luggers are aware of these issues but some still fail to see the fact that they are active abetters in M$ illegal activity - sort of biting the hand that feeds.
In spite of the above facts? If you dont create sufficient awareness now you could be hauled to court via dmca for disclosing the next vulnerability my friend. Lucky India as yet does not have such a law. Dont wait passively for one to be enacted act now by ditching M$ - you have a more than capable alternative with FLOSS.
Except on this list - only because they are sufficiently aware of the issues but continue to abet M$. IMO. And for the record the op was not directed to anyone person.
All your points noted and I agree with you but please understand the problems of the hardware guys too. The hardware guys are not into programming or its associated legal issues. Their first and foremost concern is to get their system up in munimum time with the least roadblocks and maximun compatibility with peripherial devices. At present the popular hardware that goes into a normal desktop computer is one that has only windows drivers in their cds. Even the peripherial as well as external device drivers are created more for the windows platform than linux.
What I observed in linux is that it has an excellent core and as a standalone server with minimum peripherial devices, it is the best option. But in a desktop used for homes and small offices there is always some device or another than will not work properly on linux due to lack of liinux drivers provided by its manufacturer, as it would on windows. My own system is one such system where everything does not work on linux. The other options are to buy linux compatible hardware. This will increase costs which will not be acceptable to the customers when the other competitors are willing to do it cheap for them.
As time goes by, a better situation will prevail where new hardware in the market will come with fully working linux drivers along with ther windows versions in the accompanying cds. That will be the turning point for linux where there will be no looking back to windows. Till then everyone, please be a little patient.
Best Wishes,
Rony.