Directx8 and Microsoft

[Humus]

Originally posted by Wombat:
>I can't afford to buy the product - Then find a cheaper alternative

This isn't always possible. I am an avid Linux user, but I admit that in my life it isn't possible to live without M$ software. But this is because the only function it provides is the ability to read M$ file types. I don't need Windows per se, but I need to be able to handle .DOC and .PPT files. And since M$ is a hypocrite when it comes to open standards, I'm S.O.L. and have to buy both Winxxxx and the latest greatest*cough* version of Office. However, I do prefer to convert these files to .RTF or .WPD and work with them in Linux again.

You can use staroffice to open .doc files in Linux. Don't know with .ppt though ...

[High_Jumbllama]

I do not mean to say anyone is being a child. It is just the closest thing I could come up with. When I was growing up, I was always taught not to tattle on people. I have known many people that have done this from a copy of Microsoft Arcade to the aforementioned NT4/NT5. Just chill please. I meant only to make a point. Yes, the person who posted it on askme.com was wrong and a complete idiot.

No one here is getting upset except you. When we disagree, you feel the need to strongly assert your opinion again. I get ridculed. You get ridiculed. Suck it up and go on or you just get more ticked off.

[High_Jumbllama]

Originally posted by Paulr:
On the other points, if you don't want to pay Microsoft any money, don't use their products, it's as simple as that really.
Microsoft's 'illegal' tactics, well I could go on for years about that, but that will just take this thread even further OT.
If you want to use 90% of the games and applications out there with a friendly GUI you use Win2000.
If you use Win2000 you should buy it.

How can you not use Microsoft? They have a monopoly on the market of OSs.

[Joel]

Hey High_Jumbllama,

Paulr does have the right to defend himself. And if you think otherwise then maybe you are the one who needs to go on and keep your nose out of this.

Joel

[paulcs]

I've decided to back down. I was posting when angry, and I shouldn't have. I used inflamatory language, and I shouldn't have. I've been a bad MURCER and should be banned from the clubhouse for a week.

I still think lindberg was unfairly treated and did nothing to deserve a lecture. I dislike tattling in principle. I also think Microsoft's complaints about people illegally using their software is too much the pot calling the kettle black. I think they illegally use their software, and this is a high crimes vs. petty theft situation.

Frankly, I think the computer industry deserves everything it gets. I feel the same way about the RIAA. Lying, cheating, and stealing seem to have become standard operating procedure in the computer industry, and, of course, this has always been the MO of the recording industry.

Of course, if a computer company feels it's been wronged, they'll sue you at the drop of a hat, and you have to admit, they do spend an awful amount of time and resources suing each other. Clearly, there is no honor amongst thieves.

Then there's the matter of the patenting of formerly open source technology. This is the opposite side of the warez coin as far as I'm concerned. Computer-related companies whine endlessly about the illegal use of there products. Meanwhile, the scoundrels are flooding the US Patent Office with multiple applications for technologies they had little or nothing to do with developing, intentionally creating great confusion.

Someone is actually claiming patent rights on hypertext! You might object to the notion of a BolshevikInternet where everything is free. Well, consider the possibility of an Internet, dominated by robber barons and corporate spying, where nothing is free. I think that's a much more likely scenario.

Still, I misbehaved and I apologize to Paul for my many outbursts and to Joel for the spill-over venom that might have gone his way.

Paul
paulcs@flashcom.net

[Wombat]

Humus,
Thanks, but StarOffice doesn't quite get it right when it matters with .DOC's (my resume is a .doc, just because you can't even send a .p65 file to an HR branch).

And it doesn't handle .ppt yet. If it were up to me, people would write presentations in HTML

[Paulr]

Well I think I'm more or less ready to end this particular thread.
I haven't posted all day.
I kinda felt *I* was on trial here, was preparing my defence but ran out of time due to bl**dy Oracle Video Servers not installing how they should.
Anyway, I think I've made my position on the whole issue pretty clear.
I've got no intention of changing my mind nor I guess anybody else will.
So as far as I'm concerned let both parties live on their side of the fence, but as I have in the past, as soon as that football gets kicked over the fence into my garden then I'll react as I feel is morally correct.