Why is it that Microsoft has the right to destroy your MBR and use it's own? There is NO option to bypass the boot loader instalation...


Why are there 'winmodems' and 'winprinters' and why don't they work in Linux. Does Microsoft try to dominate the hardware industry, too?

Because you would never want to install an OS other than Microsoft Windows, of course But it's probably that way partly because it makes installation easier; it lets the people who don't care about bootloaders not have to worry about them.

Short answer, because they rely on software to do some of the work, and the software is typically only provided for Windows. They exist because they can be made more cheaply (requiring fewer hardware components).

Yes. Though, I suppose if they really wanted a foothold in the hardware industry, they'd take a cue from Apple and design Windows so that it only runs on Microsoft hardware (and not allow anyone else to develop that hardware).

Yes, it sucks how imperialistic Windows is with the MBR, but there are a ton of freely available bootloaders you can install after the dreadful act of installing Windows.

Be clear on this...

You OWN your hardware. You bought it, you own it. Period. Not unlike you can own a hammer or a pair of pliers.

You don't own your copy of M$ windoze if you run it. M$ owns it. They only grant you a license to use it on one machine.

You don't own your copy of Linux either. It's owned by the developer of the software that makes up the distro... all thousands of them. They grant you a right to use it on as many computers as you wish, and to make copies of it as well.

You tell me which license agreement is superior!

Tell you what, I don't give a crap about open source because I am way too lazy to go looking at programs source codes. I don't care. I know c++ (some), java (good), a teinsy bit of pysthon and some old useless languages and yet I can't be bothered. Its too much work for me, with no read reward

I prefer getting a .tgz and installing without a worry.

<editorial>for eight years under Bill Clinton, America was "dumbed down"
the media and Corporate America treated us all like idiots! and M$(bill gates) took advantage of this. Most Americans are just now coming out from underneath the Stink of the Clinton legacy, and are tired of being treated like Crap!! The more people WE (linux users) can get to convert away from Windows, the more these people will start to think for themselves and realize that M$ is equal to mind control..........</editorial>
LOL

JaseP I'm a lil lost on your statement about linux license agreement.

If your given the ability to get the source code for the distro really it sounds more like you own a copy. This also just reminded me of the GPL that says you can do with the software as you will.

Back on the topic-

Microsoft probably like most of us like a challange, so now that they've taken the desktop OS market, they're moving into other markets (i.e. video game consoles). Microsoft moving into hardware that works like Apple's is already out, the Xbox as we know is a computer with software embedded to keep linux or other unathorized software from being run.

I'm not going to say microsoft is or isnt taking a hold over hardware, but like any company that has a bad record they need to move softly so as o not arise too much attention.

just my thoughts, Nick

Yea, I don't think Microsoft is drawing too much attention, I did see a machine once that came with Linux on it. And there is a store in almost every major city that has a mac or two.

How many OS's are good enough to sell for over $2500.00 on an x86 and up to $18,000.00 on some hardware?

Then, though, the resulting Microsoft computer would be just like every other computer system that has ever been, other than the PC - completely proprietary. And it would probably be about as successful as the Apple Mac.

It would make for a very diverse computer industry of course, with all the different proprietary computer systems vying for market share, but for Microsoft it'd be a really dumb move.

I'm sure if they put enough effort towards it, they could make it work; a lot of new/updated Microsoft software, through its increased demand for system resources and poor backwards compatibility, already requires a significant investment on behalf of users who need to stay current. I bet if they released the next version of Windows and Office in MS-Hardware-Only form, they could force such a transition. But they probably have enough on their plate by way of competition as it is. In fact, such an attempt right now might just bring users to Linux in droves! So you're right, it'd be a dumb move. Let's hope they do it

i guess thats why they are trying to turn the PC into there M$ computer?