Desktop Linux a vehicle for pirating Windows

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.And your point is...: Gartner's insinuation that Linux preloads are primarily a vehicle for pirating MS-Windows is weak at best. Its primary purpose appears to be to support MS' assertion that sales of PCs loaded with non-MS system software are illegitimate, and that their former policy of charging OEMs for each PC shipped, regardless of the OS is justified, despite the fact that many people, myself included have ended up buying Windows preloads only to replace the OS with one of their choosing.

Computer manufacturers and retailers are primarily interested in selling hardware; pre-loading an OS that the user doesn't want is a deterrant to selling to the technically non-sophisticated majority of computer users who don't want to be bothered with loading the OS themselves. Therefore, any retailer that sells Linux-preloaded machines on the theory that people will replace the OS with a pirated Windows is kidding himself. Much more lucrative to load the pirated software yourself and not drive customers away. Even if it was a reasonable theory, it's a lot easier to preload FreeDOS than Linux.

I see little reason to believe that manufacturers and retailers preload Linux for any reason other than to sell hardware to people who want to use Linux, rather than Windows. It's true that technically sopisticated users can replace it with a pirated Windows, but the notion that Linux preloads are primarily for the purpose of pirating Windows makes no more sense than an assertion that sandpaper is sold primarily to scuff baseballs.; Posted by: John L. Ries Posted on: 09/30/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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Desktop Linux a vehicle for pirating Windows Loverock Davidson | 09/29/04

You'll believe anything won't you jstead1 | 09/29/04

Misapplied fact, misbegotten conclusion John Le'Brecage | 09/30/04

re: Misapplied fact, misbegotten conclusion jdahs@... | 09/30/04

so is gartner saying ACTIVATION doesn't work? V Sanders | 09/30/04

Not a word about activation amicus_curious | 09/30/04

It does work.. d_jedi | 09/30/04

In case you hadn't heard.. Wolfie2K3 | 11/29/04

hmm... wimbo_z | 09/30/04

"Linsux" and "fanboys" Expatriate US Geek | 09/30/04

Oh Dear we got us a real live one here folks peten | 09/30/04

'Splain Lucy.... Wolfie2K3 | 11/29/04

Windows Profit Margin Like 85% andyhayes1 | 09/29/04

at some point all cost are covered - then is 100% from that point on(NT) V Sanders | 09/30/04

and if they want a tax write off, just donate a few thousand copies V Sanders | 09/30/04

You have apparently never donated anything amicus_curious | 09/30/04

That is initial margin amicus_curious | 09/30/04

Not really.. d_jedi | 09/30/04

Copycats... jacarter3 | 09/30/04

Actually... Wolfie2K3 | 11/29/04

read wimbo_z | 09/30/04

Where do you get that number? d_jedi | 09/30/04

Used to be worse GreatInca | 09/30/04

"will be" ? Richard Flude | 09/29/04

so ... George Mitchell | 09/29/04

More Gardner FUD Seething Ganglia | 09/29/04

I am not so sure about that prong@... | 09/29/04

Geez, the story makes no sense jstead1 | 09/29/04

No basis in fact Chad_z | 09/30/04

What's really happening CobraA1 | 09/29/04

great point Jeff Spicoli | 09/29/04

All good points Chad_z | 09/30/04

Microsoft in a catch-22 d_jedi | 09/30/04

This is a joke... right? jstead1 | 09/29/04

MS Tax mobrien_12@... | 09/30/04

Same thought SC-man | 09/30/04

Sounds like a lot of trouble John L. Ries | 09/29/04

.. but the advantage of that approach is.. d_jedi | 09/30/04

.And your point is... John L. Ries | 09/30/04

My point is.. d_jedi | 10/01/04

I'll accept that. John L. Ries | 10/01/04

MS should employ a dongle ... George Mitchell | 09/29/04

Wow...that would be awesome! After all... Stellardyne | 09/29/04

is the same thing basicly V Sanders | 09/30/04

and do not forget V Sanders | 09/30/04

Isn't that what they're doing? d_jedi | 09/30/04

And just suppose ... George Mitchell | 09/30/04

I agree with you but you were harsh on the other guy DigitalKid | 09/30/04

Actually...the hack could circumvent the dongle... Stellardyne | 09/30/04

Thanks for explaining DigitalKid | 09/30/04

No...actually dongle protection is easy to get passed... Stellardyne | 09/30/04

You are right, Windows piracy is not new. George Mitchell | 09/30/04

Palladium anyone? mobrien_12@... | 09/30/04

sounds good V Sanders | 09/30/04

Thats true anon_engr | 09/29/04

Umm...I don't get it... Stellardyne | 09/29/04

I agree with you V Sanders | 09/30/04

Huh? d_jedi | 09/30/04

GETTING AWAY OF HAVING TO PAY FOR A NEW VERSION EVERY YEAR gui_mart | 10/12/04

Oh My GAWD! what a bunch of MORONS! igaduma | 09/29/04

How about instead of name calling... Michael Kelly | 09/30/04

Onebase richdave | 10/02/04

Well, since Gartner hates MS, it must be true FilledOut | 09/30/04

MS is gartners biggest 'customer' doh123 | 09/30/04

I've never seen such a poorly written.... BitTwiddler | 09/30/04

what percent of windows pc become linux V Sanders | 09/30/04

Survey says: Gartner's hidden truths John Le'Brecage | 09/30/04

HEY EVERYONE! HE MENTIONS ME!! Loverock Davidson | 09/30/04

And you wonder why Physco Dude | 09/30/04

Same old trick achavez382 | 09/30/04

Same old trick Loverock Davidson | 09/30/04

Must be IT_User | 09/30/04

You are after all the epitome of the remark... John Le'Brecage | 09/30/04

Up to the OEMs amicus_curious | 09/30/04

Only in theory Yagotta B. Kidding | 09/30/04

This article misleading at best.. d_jedi | 09/30/04

What About Removing XP to Install Linux??? Refund??? brenthawkinsmd | 09/30/04

Someone tried that in Australia a few years back! B.O.F.H. | 09/30/04

Ummm, and you didn't know Windows was included in the price? No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/30/04

Hey, dull ax. richdave | 10/02/04

This USED to be a good argument ... George Mitchell | 09/30/04

$36 Bill4 | 09/30/04

If you only want to run three apps at a time, with no networking, no WMP... d_jedi | 09/30/04

Hmmmmm. richdave | 10/02/04

Sink the pirates Yagotta B. Kidding | 09/30/04

Sink the pirates rcarlson52@... | 09/30/04

Please Define Desktop Linux rcarlson52@... | 09/30/04

Screams past!!?? richdave | 10/02/04

Using Licensed copies RexBallard | 09/30/04

MS "Monopolistic Extortion" continues... PVkWatts | 09/30/04

I don't understand why MS hasn't revived Xenix. richdave | 10/02/04

Can be a good little sandbox for viral testing FilledOut | 09/30/04

Gartner has it backwards - again RexBallard | 09/30/04

Truth hurts.... (nt) No_Ax_to_Grind | 09/30/04

Happens everytime dw5437@... | 09/30/04

I don't like bootleggers. I like P2P. Free is better than a buck. GreatInca | 09/30/04

I knew it was gartner just from the title Arrg | 09/30/04

.....and why? ka0mos | 09/30/04

Windows is a bigger vehicle for piracy - read how ! mvaar | 10/01/04

Biased Viewpoint. Traveler545220 | 10/01/04

Blackbeard the Pirate calling FOUL ? ? ? ? Oat Mea1 | 10/01/04

Piracy!? Wait a minute richdave | 10/02/04

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