Re: Almost Impossible To Sell A Pre_loaded Linux Desktop Computer

From: Aragorn (stryder_at_telenet.invalid)
Date: 08/23/05 

Date: Tue, 23 Aug 2005 15:19:21 GMT

On Tuesday 23 August 2005 16:32, Postmaster stood up and spoke the
following words to the masses...:

> Dear Sirs,
>
> I find that these sort of posts raise important questions.
>
> 1. How much does Microsoft pay trolls to trash talk their
> competition ?

>From what I've heard - and what has already been proven - a number of
them are actually on the Microsoft payroll.

I am however unaware as to whether they receive an extra bonus for the
amusing prose they keep sending our way... ;-)

> 2. How much would an ISP pay to rid themselves of trolls that
> start pointless, bandwidth burning flame wars ?

This one is tricky... To my experience, ISP's don't really care that
much, provided that one doesn't exceed one's quota.

> 3. Is there a potential revenue stream here ? Would the readers
> of any particular news group contribute financially to payoff
> or rid them selves of such trash and lower the noise floor
> of their respective news groups ? ( There must be value in the
> time saved by not having to wade through this muck. )

I don't know whether people would be willing to pay to get rid of
trolls. After all, /kill-files/ come free of charge. ;-)

> 4. Is there a missing component in Linux distros ? Simply
> have the operating system trap the attempt to load anything
> .exe, then pattern match to application, then cross reference
> to available open source implementation, then auto download
> install, and execute ....

No, but there is one to actually allow Gnu/Linux users to _run_ an
/.exe/ file in Gnu/Linux. It's called /wine,/ and those using it
should start drinking more of it in order to rid themselves of the
desire to run anything that considers itself an executable because of a
three-character extension to its filename. :-)

> 5. If every Linux system sold were to automatically post
> trash to Microsoft news groups, would Microsoft be willing
> to send cash to the Linux end user to have their systems
> stop doing this ?

Microsoft heavily relies on the fact that most of the Gnu/Linux users
have better manners and more dignity than to resort to the same vile
behavior as it instructs its drones to execute. ;-)

In addition, they claim the use of bandwidth by their troopers as a
tax-deductable corporate expense. :-þ

> My analysis of these flame wars is that they spew hate,
> waste time, raise blood pressure, go on forever, and
> prove nothing. Thus they are similar to an disease or an
> infection. People are willing to go to a doctor to obtain a cure
> for what ails them, and they are willing to pay for such a cure.
> People dislike sitting in traffic jams and are willing to pay
> more taxes to get relief for the problem.
>
> Clearly there must be some motivation for these flame wars
> and I going to guess that its basis is somehow similar to one
> of the above and is either financially motivated, or can be cured
> through fiscal pressures.

Well, some people really do get off on making others feel miserable,
aggravated, frustrated or similarly unenjoyable emotional states.

I don't know if any taxes would cure the problem, since Microsoft seems
to be able to buy its way out of just about anything. It even buys
governments.

I do however believe that directing a single small tactical missile - it
really needn't be more powerful than 1 MegaTonne - to a certain office
building in Redmond would yield a fair change to resolving the issue.
;-))

> Enjoy,

I did. :-)

> Postmaster.

Nice post, master... ;-) 

-- 
With kind regards,
*Aragorn*
(Registered Gnu/Linux user #223157)

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