Desktop Linux's Future

[Chanchao]

Hello Charles,

Tuesday, July 19, 2005, 2:51:44 PM, you wrote:

CY> There is also the fact that in third world countries mocrosoft does
CY> not go after pirated copies of windows unless its the large companies
CY> doing it. This ensures that they keep evryone using windows whether
CY> they pay or not, thus keeping their market share.

Yes.. though I do see this changing. I too live in a country that's
traditionally not very strict on enforcing copyrights on anything
(Thailand), but there are definitely signs that especially
BSA-affiliated companies are increasingly playing hard-ball. It seems
they're increasingly targeting small businesses, even down to 'mom &
pop' shops if they happen to come across them. Not sure this will do
them a lot of good, as prices for legal software are a lot higher here
than in the USA.. Really the only alternative is FOSS. Note that some
big gaming-companies actually do more appropriately priced versions
for the local market.. None of that from the BSA-squad though.

For this reason in my business, (which is of a size that normally
would completely not worry about licensing), we are very strict on
using only legal or open-source software. (We stretch it a bit by
using OEM licenses for existing computers which is a bit of a grey
area). Also we happen to be in a location that's highly visible and
most heavily scrutinized for illegal software. (A big computer / IT
mall).

Perhaps as recent as last year I would have considered it a
considerable business-disadvantage to pay for software and/or to use
open source. But I've since learnt this is completely not the case.
Ubuntu is excellent, Open Office 2 is brilliant, OEM Windows is cheap
compared to other costs. (We need to use Windows as that's what most
customers for particular applications are using..)

Cheers,
Chanchao