[ILUG] Thoughts on a digital media server...

[Alan Horkan]

On Mon, 5 Apr 2004, Glen Gray wrote:

> On Mon, 2004-04-05 at 13:22, Conor Wynne wrote:

> > I'll never understand why people go out and buy an XBOX, "just to run
> > linux on" because it "costs microsoft".
> >
> > Rubbish, Its all an extra sale for MS to show figures to the press so that

> I bought the xbox 'cause it's a bloody good games console and was a damn
> site cheaper than upgrading my PC. Whether MS make any money off the
> xbox or not is beyond my scope of caring. It's a powerful console that
> is now extending its functionality for ME. Doing what I want it to do.

I can understand why you wouldn't care and clearly hacking a box you
already have makes more sense than buying/building another.

I just want to add my two cents in case anyone might actually think buying
from microsoft is a clever way to try and hurt them.

http://www.actsofgord.com/Proclamations/chapter02.html
"Anyway, Microsoft is losing money per console sold, not including what
they are spending advertising and support.  Reports have it fall between
$50 to $105 lost per console.  MS has only said that they are losing
money, and won't comment on how much."

You might think this really does mean Microsoft is making a loss on the
Xbox but it is not that simple.  The technology is old and the production
cost inevitably falls dramatically.  While some companies might make a
small initial loss it is very unlikely they continue to make a loss for
very long.


I prefer a console that can play DVDs but as you have already stated for
your purposes that is exactly what you dont want!  After a long discussion
I had last week I'm still wondering if I succesfully convinced my friend
to go with the Playstation2.

Sincerely

Alan H.