Raining on everyones parade about factory configured Linux, it's not the
support which is the issue as most vendors usually fail spectacularly to
resolve Windows problems as it is, the reason it hasn't happened is because
there's a greater economic significance.
"To circumvent this requirement (which was included as part of the eventual
settlement with the DOJ), Microsoft gives kickbacks to vendors based on the
number of computers they sell. Estimates of these range from $2-$10 per
computer. Dell also has a sweetheart deal on Microsoft Office licensing
which gives them a competitive advantage over other OEMs, helping them win
the pricing game."
http://www.linspire.com/lindows_michaelsminutes_archives.php?id=131
Gates is announcing two more "partner" programs later today around Longhorn,
which strike me as being more of the same but with added strings. Microsoft
will now issue Silver and Gold logo tags to computers which meet the
Longhorn specification. Silver if it'll run it, Gold if it's spec'd out to
run it the way Microsoft want you to. Who wants to be the one selling the
silver models if MS have a marketing push telling people gold is better? How
long before the gold configs start using things which give Linux fits?
It'll be WinModems all over again.
Mark.
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