Originally posted by Joe Gardner
From your poll, i thought you were talking about OS's only.
Actually, when I buy a Linux OS on 3 CDs, it comes not only as an OS, but there is the office inside, server, SQL database, graphic editing software, CD-RW recording, CD->WAV->MP3 capabilities, etc.
It is not the case with MS, which splits such software in different products for marketing purposes. Like: OS, Office, Server,Visual Studio, etc.
Microsoft will dominate the market for centuries to come, because it made computing understandable to masses.
However, if I try to buy all the software I need, it will drain my budget very quickly. For me something like 2000.- USD, for one software product, is the very significant money already.
I could easily crack most MS products, but while downloading those cracks, I downloaded couple of times the Trojans, which havocked my computer and scared me a lot. Besides, the cracked soft is only for home (illegal) use.
Originally posted by roadbuzz
If that's the reason you dumped Windows, you are to be commended for being such a law abiding citizen, unless you live in Singapore,
I have not heard that they check apartments yet, but some Internet cafes got busted here, computers were confiscated, etc.
What they (Tax Inspection) do – they enter the office premises, ask employees to leave for some time and check one PC after another.
Certainly, I could continue to use the unlicensed Windows at home and no one would know it. But it seems that it is the dead end for me. If later I open my own small business I will have to spend on the software more than on anything else. With Linux, however, I can use it wherever without such headaches.
I still think that Microsoft produces great software. It is just too expensive for me. Maybe it is a great choice for a successful company with a lot of funds.
The problem for me is that it comes somewhat compartmentalized and each such a portion is to be purchased separately.
Besides, I have discovered that there are really neat products inside Linux; like: Apache server, PHP scripting language, MySQL database, 'NotLame' MP3, Gphoto2, Cdrecord, GYMP, etc.
Though Linux RedHat is also influenced by this “patent” issue already. One company in Germany patented the whole MP3 format in Germany and USA. So RedHat 8.0 comes without MP3 support. I had to download 2 installation RPM files (NotLame & XMMS) separately to enable it again. This was not a big deal though and it was not illegal.