Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2002 18:06:58 -0500
From: Steve Smith <sgs at aginc.net>
To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>
Subject: [WSFA] Re: Bill Gates, Boogieman
Reply-To: WSFA members <WSFAlist at keithlynch.net>

Candy Madigan wrote:
>
> At 01:17 PM 04/04/2002 -0500, you wrote:
> >"Strong, Lee" wrote:
> > >
> > > No one
> > > is forced to purchase Microsoft goods and services, and refering to
> > > Microsoft as a monopoly is inaccurate to say the least.
> >
> >Oh?  The recent antitrust trial ruled otherwise.
> >
> >Not forced to use Microsoft goods and services?  Try telling your boss
> >that you want a Macintosh, or that you want to install Linux on your
> >current computer.  The U. S. Government is a Microsoft- only shop.
>
> Not totally true.

Close.

http://www.gcn.com/vol18_no32/dod/675-1.html
http://www.applelinks.com/articles/1999/10/19991014135518.shtml

Seems like the PC-only policy is one of those "wink wink nudge nudge"
things.  "We have a Microsoft- only policy, but you can have non- PC
computers, if you get the appropriate permit (wink wink nudge nudge)"
Everybody who deals with the military knows what that means.

How many non- Microsoft computers do you work with?  How many non-
Microsoft document formats?  What would happen if you tried to install
WordPerfect or StarOffice on your office computer?

--
Steve Smith                                           sgs at aginc.net
Agincourt Computing                            http://www.aginc.net
"Politically correct personal computer plastic coated polycarbonate
printed circuits"