Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

[David R.Matusiak <dave AT matusiak.org>]

On Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 07:18  PM, Alan MacHett wrote:

> C'mon, Dave, you know the answer:

Oh *do* I??  Do I really, Alan?

> because those few (1)want it to be an issue and (2)are in positions 
> (read: competing companies) to make it an issue.

I thought it was the European Union?  Now there's a whole Left-wing 
conspiracy.  What next?  Hillary Rodham in the White House?

> Those few are the same sorts of people as are in INW

We have governmental officials in InterNetWorkers?

> -- people in the industry -- 

That makes IT sound so...  so sleazy.

> and it's people in the industry that are making the fuss (or fighting 
> it, if their part of the industry is M$).

Well, are they fussing about it or are they fighting it?  You can't 
have it both ways.  And isn't it M$ that owns M$'s part of the 
industry?  I think they practically /own/ Microsoft!

> This sort of shit just isn't on the radar for John Q.  He couldn't care
> less, until someone more knowledgeable explains to him why perhaps he
> should care, until someone else's complaints are loud enough or popular
> enough that he thinks he should join in.  John Q. most likely doesn't 
> even
> know what an OS is, much less that he has choices in them.

"Poor poor John Q. Public - such a dolt!"  Is that what you're saying?  
From past elections, I've learned that JQP does not like to be talked 
down to.  I think you should be more understanding of JQP's needs and 
desires, not just disparage him in a public forum.  For shame, Alan.

> ... but I think you misinterpreted my statements.

No, Alan - I do not think that I misinterpretated your statements.  
Only you can do that, my friend.

> I agree with you wholeheartedly;

Then why must you persist with this constant arguing and beratement?

> M$ aspires to be a monopoly and largely succeeds from a certain 
> perspective

If this is the case, then why will no one stop them?  They are mad, I 
say.  MAD!

> ask any John Q. about computers or OSs and the answer will most often 
> be Windows.

Oh, I don't think we should belittle John Q. Public with such as 
assumption.  You know what happens when you assume something, don't 
you?  Field testing and hard data is/are what you need.  Apply for a 
research grant.

> That is what I meant when I said that only a very few are aware of 
> anything else.

Right.  "That is what (you) meant," not all that other garbage.  
Perhaps I am misinterpretating you again?

> How many "average" households are running Linux?  A paltry few.

This I totally disagree with.  Every household I know runs their own 
Linux/Unix network VPN gateway machine employing NAT/firewall software 
to protect their home LAN.  This is clearly a common configuration 
amongst the majority of Americans.

> That Gateway or Dell or HP or whatsits they purchased came out of the 
> box with Windows installed.

Well, I don't know what a "whatsits" is, but that other stuff is 
garbage.  Those people should be using Macs for client machines.  And 
new ones, at that!

> The loss of choice is fundamentally bad.

Finally you are starting to make some freaking sense!

> Even if the "only" choice is a good or exceptional one, other choices 
> should still exist.

Of course you have choice - OpenBSD for your router and Panther for 
your desktop!

> Logically, functionally, I know that statement is flawed;

perhaps spiritually bankrupt and morally bereft, as well?

> but from a philosophical, human, free will standpoint it makes perfect 
> sense.

dude, you are totally avoiding the issue while obscuring the facts with 
pseudo-emotional malarkey.  Humans and free will are for weenies!

> Sometimes, I purposefully use search engines *other than* Google for 
> that very reason.

This is the most disturbing thing I've heard all year.

> I like Google, but it's all anyone ever seems to talk about anymore 
> and I
> just don't think it should be the only way.

I can't believe I just read that.  Google *is* the only choice.  And it 
is the only choice for a very good reason.  The reason that Google is 
"all anyone ever seems to talk about anymore" is because it is the BEST 
and ONLY choice!  Let me never hear you badmouthing Google again!

REPENT!!  REPENT!!!

> -Alan