Use OpenOffice? Micro$oft can sue you!

[Welly Wu]

Go to http://www.openoffice.org . Read some of the news headlines concerning the controversial litigation battles between Sun and Micro$oft with regard to OpenOffice. In short: Micro$oft is retaining its' legal right to sue for patent / copyright infringements against users of OpenOffice because the open source program is compatible with the file versions of its Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. programs. It does not say that M$ will sue users of OpenOffice but the do have the right to do so...if the open source community becomes a greater threat to their monopolistic dominance in the computer software business world.

What a pile of hot steaming bunk!

I'm switching over to Linux in protest. I got the book. I'll crack it open later this weekend. I'll pick my distribution and confer with Head-Fi members. So far, it's either Mandrake or RedHat Code 2. This weekend, I'll download the entire distribution and burn it onto a blank CD-R or DVD-R.

My goal to switch over to LINUX is in protest against Micro$oft's anti-competitive practices. My deadline for my goal is before the end of this year. I think I can realistically start planning to switch over to some distribution of Linux this October - December 2004. The other reason why I'm switching over to LINUX is because it's free, less of a resource hog, and there are far fewer security holes and bugs (but not none whatsoever) associated with Linux than Microsoft Windows (TM).

I hate Micro$oft! Everything happens for a reason and a purpose and I just found my leverage point. M$ suing me because I use OpenOffice simply due to the fact that it's open source and free?! No way. I work very hard to make sure that I don't do anything illegal, immoral, or unethical. I keep my nose clean as best as possible. I ain't taking it on the nose from M$!

oh yeah: end rant

 

[MichaelFranks]

Preach the word my brother! Keep the hate alive! Down with micro$haft!!!

Don't forget you pay for micro$haft in so many other indirect ways, government taxes, schools, etc.

edit: They have good reason to hate OO 1.1.1, because it rules!!!!

 

[Welly Wu]

This is the last straw that broke the camel's back. I've read about Micro$oft flexing their muscles in anti-competitive ways in PC Magazine and PC World but I always wondered what that exactly meant for general computer users like myself. Now, I have specific understanding of how they are resorting to their old evil ways. There is a law in the United States that says that anti-competitive and monopolistic tactics are illegal. Ma Bell was broken down into smaller telcos because of this. Microsoft is today's Ma Bell. Except, their influence in the financial world and their recent and very aggressive lobbying campaign is so influential and so powerful that our representives and Senators and politicians cannot let their own greed and lust for power do the right thing for the American People. The little guy, us, are getting sued left and right by the RIAA and now, Micro$oft because we seek alternative choices in an already heavily saturated market.

What?!

I work too hard to not download songs or programs off of P2P networks or that other illegal crap of buying software "under the table" to get sued. This is just unfair...for the average American like myself: it is outrageous!

Micro$oft and the RIAA should be happy and proud of the fact that I work so hard to keep my nose clean and play by their rules. This news just woke me the *)!* up. If you play by someone else's rules, if you let them make decisions for you, then you end up the loser in life.

Today, I have decided to harness the power of my mind's focus and I choose to go to Linux. I choose to go with open source software. I choose to build my own PC instead of buying a once size fits all Dell, Gateway, or IBM computer. I've decided to choose my own course in life, make my own breaks, and always seek the 3rd alternative route. In Robert Frost's poem, I choose to take the other road and it has made all the difference in my life.

 

[Welly Wu]

Go to http://www.arstechnica.com to read the news blurb about the Sun / Microsoft litigation with regard to OpenOffice. I like the last closing line, "Be that as it may, the threat of possible legal action — even if remote — may cause organizations considering a move to OpenOffice.org to think twice," (Eric Bangeman).

[size=xx-large]THAT IS HOW MICRO$OFT IS USING ANTI-COMPETITIVE TACTICS TO SECURE THEIR MARKET DOMINANCE![/size]

 

[Welly Wu]

read this article: http://www.microsoft-watch.com/artic...129TX1K0000535

 

[acs236]

It really is disgusting how much intellectual property protection we give away these days. I'd love to defend a sued Open Officer user.

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu I'll pick my distribution and confer with Head-Fi members. So far, it's either Mandrake or RedHat Code 2.

Yeah! Fight the power man

My vote would be for Debian... you'll learn the most about linux if you start there. If you go with RedHat or Mandrake [basically the same thing] the install is almost as automated as Windows. Debian is nice because it is basic and you can build it up to be exactly what you need.

 

[gsferrari]

I have Suse 9, Mandrake 10, Fedora Core running on my system...fantastic

I have a box of MS Win XP-Pro which is unopened. Got it from a friend at MS for $35 (retail is $350?? for a stupid OS??)

How about I stomp all over it and make a video and post it here?

I still need my games though and WinXP is great for em.

Programmers need to write more games for Linux...it really is catching on. I hope Linux doesnt become like Windows - expensive and boring

Cheers!

 

[MD1032]

Ford should sue Chevy for being compatible with the same fuel as it uses -- regular gasoline.

 

[MichaelFranks]

since this thread is turning into a distro one

GENTOO

GENTOO

GENTOO

 

[gsferrari]

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelFranks since this thread is turning into a distro one GENTOO GENTOO GENTOO

Only one pc and no printer - any installation ideas? I am ready to give it a shot

cheers!

 

[CSMR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu If you play by someone else's rules, if you let them make decisions for you, then you end up the loser in life.

I think you lose more if you make decisions based on revenge as a private individual. Unless you're a natural linux type you will lose a lot in time from going over. Your actions will have a much greater effect on you than on Microsoft. Can't see how you win.

 

[raif]

I vote going for mandrake. Also get a book like linux for dummies. It is a great way to get your feet wet. Once you pick up enough linux knowledge, you can then move into a more hard-core install like debian or slackware.

If you ask me, I would go freebsd. The port system is one of the coolest ideas ever.

 

[Welly Wu]

Micro$oft figures out some sort of legalistic loophole or tiny clause in the convoluted and complicated US legal code to sue The Mozilla Foundation for copyright / patent infringement for accessing the Internet...period. Then, they retain the right to sue anytime, anywhere, anyhow for the next 10+ years. I can't wait.

 

[strohmie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welly Wu Micro$oft figures out some sort of legalistic loophole or tiny clause in the convoluted and complicated US legal code to sue The Mozilla Foundation for copyright / patent infringement for accessing the Internet...period. Then, they retain the right to sue anytime, anywhere, anyhow for the next 10+ years. I can't wait.

Would that in turn mean that Al Gore can sue Micro$oft?