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From: "David Schwartz" <davids@webmaster.com>
To: "Marius Nita" <marius@pdx.edu>, <linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org>
Subject: RE: Uncle Sam Wants YOU!
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2001 16:27:59 -0700
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> _I_ think it's childish to claim the above. You _may_ have a
> choice, yes, but
> is that choice equal or fair? Microsoft has infected both the
> user area as
> much as the business/work area. If you want to purchase a PC because your
> computer just fried and you want to finish a paper or something, but you
> _want_ to use KOffice on Linux, and you don't care for Windows/Word
> whatsoever, what are the chances that if you run down to the
> computer store
> your "choices" will be Windows/Word, _period_! You'll then have
> to make sure
> that none of the hardware in it is Software driven-like
> winmodems-and that
> it's supported by Linux (or whatever OS you prefer). Almost all
> computers out
> there (from well-known compianies) ship with winmodems. How is
> that a choice?
> You have a choice to waste $70 on a harware modem, when someone who uses
> Windows doesn't?
[snip]

	All of these 'lack of choice' arguments aren't really about lack of choice.
They're about advantages that outweight disadvantages. How can you choose
not to eat strawberry ice cream if it's so good and your local ice cream
store doesn't carry pralines n' cream?

	These arguments are fine to make, but all they really say is that you
prefer to use Microsoft software to the other alternatives because the other
alternatives are deficient in various fundamental ways.

	It's hard to understand the point of such arguments. Surely you shouldn't
be upset at someone for providing you the best option you have, should you?

	DS