Cringely editorializes: “When I wrote last week about my conclusion that the legal system — any legal system — is unequipped to change Microsoft’s monopolistic behavior, I had no idea that within 24 hours, Sun would be throwing in the towel, trading its so-called principles for $1.95 billion in cash. So I guess I was right. Only now, a few thousand readers out there expect me to blithely produce an answer to the problem of what to do to bring Microsoft into the civilized world. Well, I say it can’t be done“.
The Only Way Microsoft Can Die is by Suicide
About The Author
Eugenia Loli
Ex-programmer, ex-editor in chief at OSNews.com, now a visual artist/filmmaker.
Follow me on Twitter @EugeniaLoli
108 Comments
2004-04-12 9:42 am
Anonymous
My profanity was not directed “towards” anyone.
Actually, I’m wrong. I did call someone an asshat (heh, MMO rudeness has rubbed off on me). I can’t find the name of the poster I replied to, but for that I apologize. Sorry.
2004-04-12 12:03 pm
Anonymous
…that he has become yet another pundit who can only react, rather than imagine. Microsoft has only become more vulnerable and less relevant as time has gone on, and the idea that they are an unassailable and inescapable part of the technological landscape is no longer realistic. The truth is that they are a corporation, like Enron, not a philosophy, like Open Source. As anyone can see, a corporation can die if it makes enough mistakes, and in time, all corporations inevitably do die. But a philosophy doesn’t have this same restriction, and even if all the adherents of a philosophy should die out, it can be revived later by other people.
So relax, people. Open Source is the wind, changing but enduring, and corporations are the mountains, which can only be worn down with time.
2004-04-12 7:23 pm
Anonymous
No, you said I was probably lying.
I said that I wasn’t convinced, but I’ve been wrong before. The thing is that it’s been common practice for Windows trolls to begin their posts with “You know, I love Linux, but…” or “I’ve used Linux extensively, but…”
I’m not saying that this is what you were doing, but that’s the impression I got. In any case, as I indicated, this is completely irrelevant and therefore shouldn’t be brought up as an argument.
The real issue, anyway, isn’t with Windows, but with Microsoft’s behavior – and to that argument you have yet to respond convincingly. You can say “I don’t care about politics, I only care about the product” all you want (anyway, I’m guessing that this is what you’re saying), at some point the politics have an impact on the product, and other products as well. Microsoft’s abusive business strategies have been incredibly destructive to other companies, and they have skewed the industry as a whole.
I’m all for peaceful Windows/OSX/Linux/BSD/etc. coexistence, like most Linux/Apple/BSD users I know. The only one who doesn’t want to play fair, who wants all the marbles, is Microsoft. It’s not a behavior you can simply excuse by shrugging your shoulders and say “well, that’s capitalism”, either. Non-governmental monopolies are threats to free markets because they tend to have a disproportionate impact on them and slowly take over, like a cancer. This is why there are anti-trust laws and such.
At least you’ve apologized for your name-calling – meanwhile, don’t be so sensitive: me saying that this isn’t Slashdot isn’t meant as a personal attack. I actually visit Slashdot everyday and occasionally post, moderate and meta-moderate over there. It’s a good web site, but the mission (and style) of OSNews is quite different. Comments here are expected to be on-topic and flamebaiting isn’t tolerated (well, in principle).
Anyway, just to make my point clear: Linux good, Windows okay, Microsoft bad. The distinction here between the product and the company that makes it is important, IMO.
BTW, I’ve re-read your posts, and truth be told you didn’t troll as much as BOFH and Lumberg (they got modded down a lot more). Sorry to have put you in the same bag as them.
2004-04-12 9:06 pm
Anonymous
BOFH said:
“So what would you rather? Would you prefer if Microsoft stopped making good software? You’d be left with no alternative to the crap which is produced by companies like Sun and Real, then. In fact, the only option where quality means anything would be to use a Mac, because without corporations like Microsoft pushing the software industry forward, you’re left up shit creek with nothing but Slackware; and let me tell you, that’s not a place you want to be.”
Actually, that’s a bad example. I use Slackware on my primary machine, and I use it for listening to music, watching DVDs, OpenOffice.org, college programming assignments, image editing with GIMP, chatting with GAIM and XChat, etc. I also use it on my other machine to run an NFS server, Apache, SSH server, and for file storage in general. I understand it isn’t exactly the most friendly distro (there are others for newcomers) but its power and stability are nothing near what you call shit creek. So please refrain from bashing something you are too technically incompetent to know how to use.
2004-04-12 9:31 pm
Anonymous
Well, it’s all good then. Anyways…
The real issue, anyway, isn’t with Windows, but with Microsoft’s behavior – and to that argument you have yet to respond convincingly. You can say “I don’t care about politics, I only care about the product”
Well, that’s more of a “legal” issue than “political”. Which is where I agree with Cringely — “Nothing can be done”. We either need new antitrust laws, because the ones we have now are antiquated, or it just has to be battled out in the marketplace. That or MS commits suicide.
As for politics: I do care. I’d like to see OS’es (and core services like email or media playing) commoditized and standardized. I just don’t think specialized tools, luxuries, and entertainment should be, which is what many in the OSS community would prefer. Choosing Microsoft is not about choosing OS’es, while choosing Linux is about choosing Open Source. I’m saying that attitude needs to change, or Microsoft will never lose it’s grip on the industry.
2004-04-12 11:26 pm
Anonymous
…on the fact that the OS needs to be commoditized, but not necessarily the applications. I’m all for proprietary software coexisting with free software (heck, I use MS Office on my Linux workstation). I also agree in principle with people who want to make free apps that compete with proprietary ones. The problem is that MS holds two cards that unfairly tip the balance in their favor: OS monopoly and proprietary Office file formats.
The best way to cut MS’s stranglehold on the market would still be to force them to publish the Office files’ specs…I can’t wait for a good MS Word filter for KWord!!
I don’t appreciate it when someone wants to color me bad and generalize things because I defend Windows, when I’ve used Unix, including Linux, and Macs, longer than I’ve used Windows (And I barely use Windows at that).
And what I’m saying is that the fact that you may have used any OS is not in itself a mark of expertise or authority in the matter.
As I’ve already said, the problem isn’t with Windows per se, but with Microsoft.
I’m not a Windows lover or Linux hater, I just use
“whatever” technology in “general”. If that isn’t good enough for this emerging “Linux community”, that it’s not 100% loyalty to your beloved OS, then that’s sad.
Hey, there’s no problem with using “whatever” OS you want. In fact, I think you’ll find that the large majority of Linux enthusiasts are also proponents of OS diversity. We don’t aim for a 90%+ market share, 20 to 33% will be enough! 🙂
You see, the problem is that this notion of OS diversity we apparently share is not a very popular concept at Microsoft. They want that 90%+ market share, and they’ll do anything to shut out any serious competitor. I disagree with this behavior. To me, the OS needs to be Free (though the apps themselves don’t need to) to avoid this kind of stranglehold on an industry by a single company. It’s just common sense.
This is why I support Linux. And you know what? It’s already caught up with Windows (and even surpassed it in certain areas) for all my needs. As time passes, more and more desktops can be switched to Linux, especially in large organisations and in the rest of the world, which in turn means better hardware and software support.
However, this is all irrelevant to the fact that you were indeed trolling, as others have already indicated. Which brings us to…
I know it’s Easter and all, but if you think using the word “Fuck” is criteria for thinking someone has no credibility, then it’s you that needs to grow up.
Uh, no, you’re the one you grow up. This isn’t Slashdot. Using profanity in these boards isn’t part of the site’s netiquette, as indicated in the terms you’re supposed to have fully agreed to (in fact it’s term #1):
“1. No gratuitous use of profanity, biting sarcasm, or personal disparagement, especially directed at individuals.”
http://www.osnews.com/rules.php
Personally, I’m not shocked by profanity, but I think it betrays poor form and, yes, shows a lack of credibility (except if you’re George Carlin, I guess).
BTW, the fact that it’s Easter has nothing to do with it: “Fuck” is not a religious expletive.
Why do you say “very high” chance the “primary OS” will be Linux?
My bad – I meant the first OS to run on it after the Cell OS that IBM and Sony are developing for the console, of course…a PS3 running Linux could mean some sweet MythTV-like apps!
I’m not sure where I’m “trolling”. This is a “Windows and Linux” related thread. Just because I disagree with you doesn’t mean I’m trolling. If this was say, a Linux specific thread, and I hopped in and started saying “Windows blah blah blah etc., etc.” or something to that effect, just to push people’s buttons — Then that would be trolling.
And what I’m saying is that the fact that you may have used any OS is not in itself a mark of expertise or authority in the matter.
No, you said I was probably lying. Then you said that.
Anyways, I never said I was an “authority” or even an “expert”. I’m afraid you missed my point:
All I was saying is that I’m a person who’s been familar with Unix and Linux for quite some time, and yet, I’m still defending Windows. I wouldn’t have even brought up my experience with Unix if someone didn’t accuse me of being a Windows “fanboi”. Sure, I cussed, but it’s irrational to make that the excuse to disbelieve me.
Uh, no, you’re the one you grow up. This isn’t Slashdot.
Heh, this seems to be the new wildcard around here, and it’s getting old: Pull out the “Slashdot” accusation. I can honestly say I’ve visited Slashdot probably less than 20-30 times since it’s been up. Oh, but I’m a liar, right?
A liar, slashdotter, fanboi, and troll.
It’s nonsense. The same, tired, old accusations everyone throws around here. Probably time to think of better names to call people, because those are getting old.
Call me pottymouth or something. At least it’s true.
“1. No gratuitous use of profanity, biting sarcasm, or personal disparagement, especially directed at individuals.”