Hi All, I have something I'd like to add to the microsoft->Linux dispute: Today, a non-profit organization that I know very well got a letter (a mass-mailing I think) from microsoft telling them that they have to look at all there microsoft crap and see if any of it is pirated. This particular organization is extremely short on funds, but still makes sure that all the software they use is licensed. The letter, which contained a brochure about microsoft lisensing, stated that if they were investegated and any un-lisensed software was found, a $150,000 per product would be charged. This letter seemed to be targeted to businesses with multiple computers. This organization happens to have one machine running a lisensed coppy of winblows. Here are my comments: a. Is there any microsoft product even worth neer $150,000? B. This is just microsoft's way to get friendly with the government and do it's favorite thing, make money without doing much work, at the same time. Thanks for listening to my short rant, Alex Snow ----- Original Message ----- From: "Deedra Waters" <curi0315@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: <speakup at braille.uwo.ca> Sent: Friday, May 03, 2002 1:39 PM Subject: [Newchix] Fwd: NEWS: MS anti-piracy push leads to Linux adoption in Taiwan (fwd) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 03 May 2002 07:34:23 -1000 From: Ralph Miranda <dragonhawk007@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: newchix at linuxchix.org Subject: [Newchix] Fwd: NEWS: MS anti-piracy push leads to Linux adoption in Taiwan more on Linux vs. MS Subject: NEWS: MS anti-piracy push leads to Linux adoption in Taiwan Date: Fri, 3 May 2002 00:02:31 -1000 http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory;sid=2002/5/2/22414/46236 In Taiwan, the ROC government has launched an intense crack down on software piracy. Facing the prospect of significant license fees on Microsoft products, government departments, businesses and schools are switching to Linux and free software on a significant scale. Microsoft Taiwan, trying to obtain what it thinks are its proper license fees, instead has encouraged consumers to switch to free software products. (Improvement thanks to danny) Under the pressure from Microsoft and threats of US trade sanctions, the government of Taiwan, Republic of China is agressively cracking down on software piracy. Government departments, schools and businesses are under pressure to come out with money to fulfill license fees. The Ministry of Judical Affairs, responsible for law enforcement, tries to set an example by signing a large purchase contract with Microsoft Taiwan. However, it is criticized by legistlators who ask, why spend tax payer's money for expensive licenses when Tzi-Yu (freedom, libre) Ruan-Ti (software) like GNU/Linux is available? Local governments, small businesses and schools, after studying the trade-offs of Linux vs. Windows, are modifying their budgets to decrease Microsoft software purchase and turning to Linux alternatives, like "Chinese2000", a Chinese Linux distribution, "KaiOffice", an office suite, and Star Office. The Dept. of Education of the City of Taipei switches its budget originally set for MS software purchase to Linux skill training for teachers. Linux vendors say the intense pressure from the crackdown has contributed significantly to the awareness on GNU/Linux and its adoption. Microsoft Taiwan's efforts to increase revenue have backfired, much to its surprise. (last two linked documents in Chinese) (This article has many interesting and informative comments. Click to read more.) http://www.kuro5hin.org/?op=displaystory;sid=2002/5/2/22414/46236 _______________________________________________ LUAU mailing list LUAU at videl.ics.hawaii.edu http://videl.ics.hawaii.edu/mailman/listinfo/luau _________________________________________________________________ Join the world's largest e-mail service with MSN Hotmail. http://www.hotmail.com _______________________________________________ Newchix mailing list Newchix at linuxchix.org http://mailman.linuxchix.org/mailman/listinfo/newchix _______________________________________________ Speakup mailing list Speakup at braille.uwo.ca http://speech.braille.uwo.ca/mailman/listinfo/speakup
