Computer debate

[Bajoran Rogue]

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This is just too funny not to post. Microsoft is being fined by the EU unless it reveals more information about Windows. I wonder how long it'll take until Microsoft complies with the demands?

[Danny Stewart]

I bet they'll just pay the fine. They have the money, and they're amazingly proprietary about their software.

EDIT: Oops, I didn't actually read the article. A daily fine? That's excellent news! I hope it kills the corporation! Bwahahahaha!

[Ross Hendrie]

I think the EU are being very unreasonable about this. What's wrong with not giving enough access to rival firms? I mean that's like forcing a cook to hand over his secret recipe for everyone to copy.

[Chris Britton]

Unless the EU are suspicous of the program, because although i am stuck with it, Windpws does have bugs, I wonder why they want Mircosoft to give Rivals access to thier software.

[Ross Hendrie]

Yeah seems peculiar. Almost as if the government is working for the other firms.

[Daniel Gordon]

Personally, I am siding with Microsoft on this one, the EU have no right to tell a company to disclose information of this detail about its products to its compeditors. For gods sakes, they can go buy it. Thats like my the Government telling me to tell my rivials how I make my special cakes

[Bajoran Rogue]

Its a bit different than that,

Microsoft was also ordered "to disclose complete and accurate interface documentation which would allow non-Microsoft work group servers to achieve full interoperability with Windows PCs and servers".

the point is to improve compatibility, something which is benifitial to the customers as then they are not forced to either only use Microsoft or only use products other than Microsoft.

[Ross Hendrie]

A valid point, but still, like Daniel said that's like asking a baker to turn over his secret recipe for everyone else to manufacture.

[Danny Stewart]

I side completely with Rogue and the EU on this one. Microsoft is a monopoly and they need to make themselves more compatible with other operating systems or else it could destroy entire computing infrastructures.

[Chris Britton]

They only thing i can see in the EU's favour is them wanting people to be able to understand how the damm thing works,, lets face it, Windows is not the best thing to understand, and it can get confusing for no reason, But really it is harsh on Microsoft as they have tried thier best to make ti work, I have a neutral opinion on this. because i can;' really pick sides for this matter.

[Daniel Gordon]

Well, I am with Microsoft on this one

[Ross Hendrie]

Me too. Granted, that Microsoft needs to become more compatible with other systems but forcing them to disclose their secrets is going too far.

[Danny Stewart]

Heartily disagreed. Microsoft's reign of terror has gone on far too long, and bless the EU because now thanks to them it is finally coming to an end!

[Ross Hendrie]

Reign of terror? Danny they're not international terrorists...

[Danny Stewart]

No, they're software terrorists.

[Chris Britton]

So that means Bush and Blair have been attacking the wrong thing, sod Bin Laden, kill Bill Gates

[Danny Stewart]

Damn right. Then maybe we'll get somewhere.

[Chris Britton]

Well Danny, you know i would glady use Linux and firefox, but you also know how hard it is to persude my parents to let me get those things, and that once i get my own place i will get the two items, i just hope untill then you won;t hold ti against me that i have no choice but to use Mircosoft.

[Ross Hendrie]

I willingly use Microsoft, as Linux doesnt allow you to play all the games on it, only certain ones.

[Danny Stewart]

Originally Posted by Ross Hendrie

I willingly use Microsoft, as Linux doesnt allow you to play all the games on it, only certain ones.

It's not a question of allowing. Blame the game companies, not Linux! It's not their fault. They don't set out to say "Oh, now, our most important thing here is that we won't allow all Windows games to run on it." It's a different operating system, things work differently. Some games will work on it through an emulator like Cedega, others won't and you'll need to dual boot back into Windows to play them. It's a valid solution and it works for me and hundreds of thousands of others.