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Whoa is me; keeping 95% of the market
Choice of an operating system doesn't occur by the simple math of comparing prices for functions.

Asked the definition of an "operating system", many people would say, "Windows". Most of the rest wouldn't have a clue. That's called a brand, and brands can move a lot of product.

Then ask a new computer buyer what they want to do with a computer. The buyer might have some ideas, but is looking forward to surprises. How are they supposed to do a calculation of the price of meeting their needs when they don't know what those needs are?

And the amount of a price difference counts, too. Store brands are often bought from the suppliers of name brands and sold more cheaply. Same stuff, different label. The name brand sells more usually, partly because of the brand, but also because the price difference is small enough that it's not worth any risk to try an unknown.
Another advantage to keeping Windlows relatively cheap.

Oh, and worms, viruses? Microsoft's problem. Forget 'em.

We're talking home users here. Enterprises know more, but usually have the option of keeping older versions of Windows, which is cheapest of all.

Where does Linux catch a break?

From governments. They like the idea of not paying a foreign company. But they like the idea of control even more, I expect. And they can enforce their preferences with threats of jail or at least higher taxes.
Linux's motto should be: it's better than jail.

As amicus curious said, marketing.
Not really a science, but an art with a lot of aspects that always work.
Posted by: Anton Philidor   Posted on: 09/27/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
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And where is the budget version for US schools?  DonnieBoy | 09/27/04
But Americnad demand the right to pay full price!  B.O.F.H. | 09/27/04
Not scared, just aware  amicus_curious | 09/27/04
Man, you live in a dream world.  DonnieBoy | 09/27/04
Linux is a sort of unix  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
Linux is doing a lot more than cannibalize Unix and keep Windows out.  DonnieBoy | 09/28/04
Unix losing money by the ton  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
RUN MICROSOFT, RUN!!!!  itanalyst | 09/27/04
how fragmented is xp now - 5 versions?  V Sanders | 09/27/04
IF they allowed optional installs - would only need ONE version  V Sanders | 09/27/04
It is truly a shame that the USA is falling behind in tech.  Xunil_Sierutuf | 09/27/04
Just history repeating itself.....  Laff | 09/27/04
Thanks to Microsoft Sufficating the U.S. Tech Industry  claytonmuhler | 09/27/04
MS is finding Linux indestructible.  Laff | 09/27/04
Most of the world?  Salman Pak | 09/27/04
Missed a few announcements - did ya  TrustMe_z | 09/27/04
Oops, you blinked.. it's now 4% and overtook the MAC  Xunil_Sierutuf | 09/27/04
Hardly that  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
yeah right  V Sanders | 09/27/04
What happenned to: "we can't unbundle anything"????  shawkins | 09/27/04
Reducing functionality  Anton Philidor | 09/27/04
oh yeah, linux:fastest growing OS in history is wrecking competition to win  hipparchus2000 | 09/27/04
"fastest growing OS in history"?  Anton Philidor | 09/28/04
One of the technology "givens" taught to CS majors.  Xunil_Sierutuf | 09/27/04
shawkins, That was the LIE they told the courts...  Plain Logic | 09/27/04
What's really a shame...  Spoon Jabber | 09/28/04
How long is the rest of the world going to pay?  crocd | 09/27/04
Problem is, they weren't paying  Anton Philidor | 09/27/04
Read the post  crocd | 09/27/04
Okay, but what's the connection?  Anton Philidor | 09/27/04
Not really gloating speculating..  crocd | 09/27/04
Business pricing  Anton Philidor | 09/27/04
Marketing is a science  amicus_curious | 09/27/04
Woe there sonny...:)  Laff | 09/27/04
Whoa is me; keeping 95% of the market  Anton Philidor | 09/27/04
It's better than jail...  Patrick Jones | 09/27/04
Most of the World?  IT_User | 09/27/04
Actually that's the sick part -- he'll remain the richest man..  DigitalKid | 09/27/04
doesn't bother me  DemonX | 09/27/04
Actually, without the value of MS stock, he would not be anywhere near.  DonnieBoy | 09/28/04
Mr. Bill has cashed some $40B  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
How about Red Hat?  Spoon Jabber | 09/28/04
97% piracy?  d_jedi | 09/27/04
No control thats why they pirate  crocd | 09/27/04
That's why..  d_jedi | 09/27/04
Piracy is good for Microsoft. They don't want you to use Linux.  DonnieBoy | 09/27/04
Limited XP is the tool pirate  voska | 09/27/04
Yes, they are desperate to limit exposure to Linux  DonnieBoy | 09/27/04
Bottom Line: MS Trying to Sell A Commodity At Luxury Prices  brenthawkinsmd | 09/27/04
Ubiquitous does not mean commodity  amicus_curious | 09/27/04
There is a lot more to the Anti Windows/MS concept  Laff | 09/27/04
The question is..  d_jedi | 09/27/04
Just curious...  Michael Kelly | 09/27/04
Well..  d_jedi | 09/27/04
wow you tried twice and failed. hint try preinstalled from Walmart  hipparchus2000 | 09/27/04
His point is very valid..  Brasonte | 09/28/04
And of course...  Spoon Jabber | 09/27/04
The difference is..  d_jedi | 09/27/04
just buy preinstalled  hipparchus2000 | 09/27/04
Umm.. no  d_jedi | 09/27/04
Actually...  Spoon Jabber | 09/29/04
justlinux.com  Linux User 147560 | 09/27/04
And where is it written?  StorageGuru | 09/27/04
So are you saying that someone who purchases  Laff | 09/28/04
Another Sheep Responds  brenthawkinsmd | 09/27/04
Using caps doesn't make it so  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
Sorry but gotta disagree here  Linux User 147560 | 09/28/04
You miss the point by a mile  StorageGuru | 09/28/04
US Schools Subsidizing Microsoft's Illegal Dumping in Russia  claytonmuhler | 09/27/04
And there is the future  FilledOut | 09/27/04
WinXP Starter edition is total junk!  doh123 | 09/28/04
looks like RUSSIA OEMS give consumers a choice  V Sanders | 09/28/04
only the russians -- pls  dark8eyes | 09/28/04
That's about what it is worth!  Spoon Jabber | 09/29/04

What do you think?

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