Re: [dvd-discuss] Fwd: Bush taps Clarke as CyberdefenseChief

[Michael.A.Rolenz(at)aero.org]

The problem with allowing a monopoly is that not only are there no 
alternatives but that they stiffle, smother, purchase and ultimately 
destroy any possible one. (Step 1) Also, since the monopoly has no 
competition, ultimately everybody gets unacceptable junk. Step 2. WRT to 
Windows, we are clearly in step 2 right now. 




Noah silva <nsilva@atari-source.com>
Sent by: owner-dvd-discuss@eon.law.harvard.edu
10/16/01 07:04 AM
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        Subject:        Re: [dvd-discuss] Fwd: Bush taps Clarke as CyberdefenseChief




On Mon, 15 Oct 2001 Michael.A.Rolenz@aero.org wrote:

> Now Betty, who is my mother, uses a mac. WRT to your Aunt Betty not 
> demanding something better, what's the alternative for the PC? Microsoft 

> has a monopoly.....and the government isn't doing much about it right 
now 
> other than letting microsoft screw around and waste time.

<veering slightly off topic...>

My point isn't about wether there are alternatives at all.  To me, some
things are acceptible, some things aren't.  If every time you drove
somewhere in your car, there was a 25% chance it would fail, I wouldn't be
caught dead in a car.  Since the chance is much smaller, it is
acceptable.  If every time I use a PC, there's a large chance it will
crash and lose my work, I won't use it most of the time.  Without being a
computer expert, I think people should still be able to look at something
and say "this is reasonable" or "this isn't reasonable".  My girlfriend's
dad bought a computer around last X-mas with Win ME.  It seriously could
not stay running for more than an hour or two at a time without having
serious problems.  Maybe it was the computer itself, but I doubt it.  Even
if the car was the best thing we had, I would say 25% failure rate is
still too high, and I would still complain.

 -- noah silva