Re: Should the Fed Gov break up Microsoft?

[Phoenyx <quazar@dcnet2000.com>]

Hi Frank,

Before you read this, bear in mind that I know you weren't
bashing or such.

For All:

As a PC hacker, programmer, etc... I find that I am not too
worried on MS's account. MS has so much diversity in it's
company that they could easily survive and possibily even grow
into a set of mega-corporations. This is perhaps the largest
concern I have regarding Linux - Open source software, herein
called simply Linux. Also, I can say it's not just MS Win i'm
worried about. It would be reasonably easy for a group of
businesses to gain an upper hand and exponentially harder to
take the project back from them.

Now, as some know, and many have guessed from my posts, I have a
huge 'Big Brother' complex. At least in our country, we are able
to effect counter measures to some degree. This is a 'complex'
that is more involved than simply worrying about businesses
spying on people, but that is a whole different subject and maybe
best left alone for now.

I try and keep a tight rein on my problem as I don't want it to
consume me with all it's ugliness. In some ways though it has
helped me as I have learned may things about computer security.

Anyhow, like you, I believe the open source system CAN be the
future for most computers and users. Well, at least the PC. Yet
I don't see it completely taking over the PC user base anytime
soon. There are many things which need to be fixed to improve
this methodology. Primarily, user friendliness as regards the
system setup and later configuration. Since Linux itself is a
text based OS, there are several options. On my Redhat 6.01
system there is the Linuxconf script. It helps, but still needs
improvement. At least it can be run in X.

I have alway had mixed feelings about Windows. Starting way
back when it was Windows 386. Even though it was a rough system
I saw a lot of possibilities here and began learning what ever
I could to help me take advantage of it.

Darn power loss. Good thing I saved this. :-) But I lost my train
of thought.

Anyway, as stated, Linux offers a variety of features. Currently,
some of it's strengths are networking, system development and of
course program development. Then there is the benefit of a stable
*nix type system which in itself counts for quite a lot. There
are those who simply won't make the change though. Talk to Steve
Mentzer about this. :-) Hi Steve.

As long as we are a diversified people, we will have some sort of
diversity in our computers. I have absolutely no problem with
this as it adds for diversity in the market as well as improved
performance and quality.

Phoenyx