Reasons to Avoid Microsoft

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License

These pages are a compilation of links and quotes to news articles and others sources that might help convince you to switch to Linux.

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XP bandwidth brouhaha (InfoWorld, 2002.Mar.18)
The newness of Windows XP -- with its sometimes addled approach to license restrictions, copy protection, and security -- lends itself to confusion. [Some] Web sites that claimed XP needlessly consumes 20 percent of your PC's network bandwidth. ... [Microsoft's XP license agreement] means using any software other than Microsoft's to view an XP desktop from Windows 2000 or any other operating system would violate the company's license agreement, in case you care. 'I use VNC extensively to manage several hundred desktops daily ... So for me this is a big deal, and a good reason to stay away from XP until I see significant value added compared to Win 2000. So far I haven't.'
A Punitive Puppeteer? (InfoWorld, 2001.Sep.17)
While we're on the subject of license enforcement, let me throw in a term one alert reader just spotted in the license for FrontPage 2002. 'You may not use the Software in connection with any site that disparages Microsoft, MSN, MSNBC, Expedia, or their products or services ...' the license reads in part.
Microsoft EULA stokes crusade (Slashdot.org, 2001.Jun.21)
Microsoft's new crusade against licenses that enforce source-code sharing has reached the EULA of their Mobile Internet Toolkit. It even disallows the use of any 'Publicly Available Software' tool in the production of software using this SDK. ... Is this legal?
Microsoft to keep software meeter running? (C|Net News, 2001.May.07)
Microsoft may be changing its licensing practices, potentially compelling large companies to pay up every three years to continue using a piece of software.
Sort through FUD on Microsoft product activation (TechRepublic, 2001.Mar.08)
IT professionals are among the best informed and most sophisticated of all Microsoft's customers. So it's especially disturbing to see what a terrible job the company has done in explaining how this new policy will affect its customers-at home and in corporations.
MS To Virginia Beach: Prove You Own Your Software (Slashdot.org, 2000.Nov.04)
Microsoft, like most software companies, includes contracts with its merchandise explaining that the company reserves the right to ask consumers at any time for proof of purchase and an inventory of what is being used. The rule [also applies] to individuals.
Paying Twice for Windows (Slashdot.org, 2000.Aug.03)
Microsoft's recent contracts with businesses obligated the business to buy an additional copy of Windows 2000 even if the machine came with a licensed copy already installed.

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