MS at it again...

[Jammrock]

http://news.zdnet.co.uk/0,39020330,39261437,00.htm

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/i/z/nw/sp/storygraphics/scan.jpg

ZDnet UK is reporting that Microsoft sent out a memo telling UK PC makers to stop selling 'naked PCs' (i.e. PCs without any OS pre-installed, just a blank HDD). MS claims that "[Selling a naked PC] is a risk to your customers and a risk to your [OEMs] business," because it's harder to sell other pre-packages applications and services if no OS is installed. The memo came from MSs lead of anti-piracy, giving it an undertone of "people who buy naked PCs pirate MS OSs" - one of those read-between-the-line things when you look at the top 4 reasons people request naked PCs from the second link - virtually ignoring Linux users completely.

Linux lovers in Europe are, of course, up in arms and laughing at MS.

Jammrock

[agallag]

Isn't this what MS has been saying for years? How is this new?

[dbdg]

They said naked PC's, they don't care if the anyone sells them with Linux on, just not completely blank.

A percentage of the people that buy naked PC's will pirate Windows, so they have a right to say this.

[agallag]

They have a right to say it, but they don't have a right to enforce it.

[Jammrock]

They have a right to say it, but they don't have a right to enforce it.

All true, but it's still a sly business move.

[Whirl-Secret]

There's a simple solution, give away a liveCD linux distro with every system. See how much Microshaft likes that instead

[Admiral]

ROFL, that'll be nice

If you put Linux on the drive you can imagine that whomever wants/has a windows CD will format/partition the drive again and install it. It's just a waste of time and resources for the shop.

[agallag]

Hell, they just have to put a copy of freedos on the drive. It's technically not "naked" anymore.