[100759] in RedHat Linux List
Re: the effects of FUD on the mind (editorial,long)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Rich Shepard)
Mon Nov 23 09:03:39 1998
Date: Sun, 22 Nov 1998 22:01:48 -0800 (PST)
From: Rich Shepard <rshepard@appl-ecosys.com>
To: redhat-list@redhat.com
In-Reply-To: <19981122214651.A10625@klondike.ml.org>
Resent-From: redhat-list@redhat.com
Reply-To: redhat-list@redhat.com
On Sun, 22 Nov 1998 bsc@klondike.ml.org wrote:
> I don't know about anyone else in this mailing list but I've been looking
> over my shoulder a bit more than usual. I've been reading posts that
> slyly indicate there might be something subversively wrong with the OSS
> movement, perhaps there is something wrong with the way Linux is
> developing. I hate the feeling, the paranoia is back, but once burnt,
> twice shy.
Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're not out to get you.
On a serious note, you have good reason to be concerned. I've observed
Microsoft's tactics for years as they buy out or intimidate better
technologies (which is almost every aspect of microcomputing) to promote
themselves. Bill Gates and Microsoft are like IBM of the 50's and 60's: far
from the best technologies but the best marketing seen anywhere.
What we see is a powerful marketing machine which successfully solutions to
which there are no problems. We needn't go into the reasons why it works,
but we need to be aware that we must protect our own interests, for no one
else will.
I've switched to Linux (almost completely after about 8 months now) because
I cannot trust my livelihood and my business to what Bill Gates believes is
best for him. Even using the X version of WordPerfect -- where I'm forced to
remove my hands from the keyboard to use the bloody trackball -- lowers my
productivity compared with WordPerfect/DOS which I've used for 14.5 years
now. I don't like GUIs except when working with graphics. But, I need to
accept lower productivity because that's where the world is heading. On the
other hand, I don't want my choices (and spending on computers) to be driven
by outside forces. I need to get stuff done and computers are the tools I
need.
Yes, we see a lot of nonsense going on and the OSS movement is a broad path
of opportunity for many of us. We do have reason to watch out for Microsoft,
but we can do so with clarity and intelligence.
Rich
Dr. Richard B. Shepard, President
Applied Ecosystem Services, Inc.
2404 SW 22nd Street
Troutdale, OR 97060-1247 U.S.A.
+ 1 503-667-4517 (voice) | + 1 503-667-8863 (fax)
rshepard@appl-ecosys.com
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