Re: OS For IIGS

[CUTjefbla@bconnex.net (Jeff Blakeney)]

On 6 Nov 1997 08:22:42 GMT, ab616@chebucto.ns.ca (Tony Cianfaglione)
wrote:

>   Your argument is flawed.  Remember that Apple makes money from the
>sale of the computers so they can afford to supply the OS for free.  When
>Compaq or HP sells a computer, Microsoft doesn't make any money until
>they sell a copy of the OS to the user.  When a PC sells, there's two
>different companies involved.  Microsoft didn't make any money when
>Compaq users put OS/2 on their computers.

Well, yes, my argument is a little flawed as it was very simplified.
The part about having the cost of a system increase if they include an
operating system should have been left out because, as you said, Apple
is making the money for the operating system from the sale of its
hardware.  So there is no difference with new hardware, the cost of
the operating system is included in the price of the system for both
Apple's and Microsofts operating systems.

However, if you purchase a used Mac or Apple II, you can go to Apple's
internet site(s) and download a copy of the appropriate operating
system for free.  If you pick up a used IBM or compatible, you must
purchase the operating system.  And I'm pretty sure that Microsoft's
licensing agreement for these products is one copy one machine.  So
even if you already own Windows 95 and have it installed on your
current machine, legally you must purchase a second copy to put it on
a second machine.  I haven't read the agreement lately so I'm not 100%
sure about this point.

Also, if you buy a new Apple system which includes a version of the
operating system, when that operating system is upgraded, you can get
the new version for free from the same sites.  At least you used to be
able to.  Nathan pointed out to me that Apple has started charging for
some of the Mac OS upgrades.  Microsoft has always charged for
operating system upgrades with the possible exception of small
upgrades (ie. upgrading version 1.0 to 1.01 or 1.1).

So I still think Apple has had the better idea.  At least up until
they started charging for operating system upgrades.

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