Simon Morris wrote:
On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 07:09:00 -0500 (EST), Sid Dabster wrote:
I think there are better ways to do something
then
founding a political party if you want to help
Free
Software. Help building a local Free Software organisation which focus on the
political
issues.
Several people have said pressure groups are
better,
and hinted that they exist, I know of no multi-platform anti-M$ pressure group. In fact one of the main problems is that there is no medium
sized
or large organisation against Microsoft and
everyone
is complaining on their own in isolation, and
feeling
powerless.
So is this Political party you propose a pro-Linux party or a anti-Microsoft party? Because being pro-Linux and anti-Microsoft ARE NOT MUTALLY EXCLUSIVE!!!
First of all in order to sell your manifesto to impartial observers whose support you want to gather you can't go in there just saying "I am anti-Microsoft"
Microsoft are an abusive monopoly see <a href="http://www.speccyverse.me.uk/comp/reboot/" target=_blank>http://www.speccyverse.me.uk/comp/reboot/</a> Per Processor licensing means computer manufacturers pay say 50 pounds per computer for M$ Windows whether M$ Windows is shipped on the machine or not. So a copy of Red Hat is 25 pounds then the customer pays indirectly via the the manufacturer 75 pounds (25 for RH + 50 for a non-existant copy of MS Windows). This is just one of the many anti-competitive practises they do, not to mention the poor quality of there software, monoploy margins, closed source, pro-patent approach. Full Windows (i.e. not Windows CE) runs on very few hardware platforms constraining choice to Intel and AMD x86 CPUs. If M$ monopoly did not exist Linux would have a much bigger market share, say 20%, benefiting all users. Micro$oft are famous for their vapourware, a recent example was the annoucement of IE7 to stop the rise of Firefox, and other M$ FUD techniques. As PCs get cheaper Windows (+Office) is costing more and more of the total cost, some users are being criminalised. Microsoft in the past has purposely made rivals software products incompatible or seem incompatiable to damage their sales, this has led to less choice.
The term anti is a negative term, it's going to make you sound like a bitter oddball. I think the only terms I could give my support to that include the term 'anti' would possibly 'anti-software patent' because software patents are an issue that do affect a majority of people (anyone who uses a computer) and patents have a social impact on most peoples lives (preventing innovation, restricting freedom of expression etc)
Also possibly depending on other circumstances anti-war may be an acceptable political point-of-view.
But simply being anti-Microsoft is not going to get you any serious support.
Localy a 2 libraries have closed (Lazar House and Bradwell) because the budget was used on Micro$oft software. Norfolk County Council is spending 10.5 million pounds on PCs in schools while there is a teacher shortage. Once the PC are installed government rules which do not count a PC older than 3 years as existing, mean they have to start back on the tread mill. I wonder if X-Terminals fall under the 3 year rule.
Explain to your electorate *why* you are anti-Microsoft... practice that spiel on us first.
See the rest of my email.
Are you anti-Microsoft because they support the use of Software Patents? If so then you need to describe your party
I am anti-M$ because they a monopoly destroying choice and making people use their poor software, VB Script Virus anyone.
as an anti-software patent movement (which by the way I would be behind much more than your current idea)... as IBM are currently the worlds biggest holder of software patents.... Novell must be in there too as well as companies such as Sun, SCO etc.
Is using Microsoft Windows Server any more or less ethical in terms of the Free software ethos than using say Novell Netware? Neither are free, neither protect the freedom of rights of their users.
What about Solaris on SPARC? That is a non-free OS. Are you also campaigning against Sun?
Sun Microsystems support open systems and claim to be making a lot of Solaris Open Source soon.
Are you suggesting running a anti-MS party because they are anti-competitive? Well this has already been through the courts and they have been fined. What is your answer to that when your electorate asks?
The fine while big to the likes of you and me, to Microsoft and Bill Gates (the biggest fat cat in the world, who's wealth is obscene) the fine was small change.
( Can I just say at this point I am neither a MS user or apologist. I just don't like Linux users to be portrayed as fanatical anti-Microsoft campaigners simply because it is fashionable. There needs to be substance to this stance as well )
You need to chip away at the practices that makes MS an unsavoury company. The fact they don't protect the freedom of their users, their strategy of locking users in, their practice of selling software to poor 3rd world countries and forcing them into a expensive upgrade cycle.
Not just the 3rd world.
Being Anti-MS isn't enough
That why I suggested a Free Software Party originally, called the Linux Party, perhaps Free Software Party would be better even if less catchy.
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