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Re: [News] [Rival] Microsoft Uses the 'Pirates' Lie Against Regulators, Not Just GNU/Linux

In comp.os.linux.advocacy, JEDIDIAH
<jedi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
 wrote
on Wed, 3 Sep 2008 13:27:32 -0500
<slrngbtlok.ffv.jedi@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> On 2008-09-03, Robin T Cox <nomail@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>
>>> "It's easier for our software to compete with Linux when there's piracy
>>> than when there's not."
>>> 
>>> --Bill Gates
>>
>> Are there any figures for the number of pirated Windows systems in use?
>>
>> Versus those which have been legitimately bought and paid for?
>>
>> My guess is that the vast majority of Windows systems and software are
>> actually pirated.
>
> Nah... I figure most are OEM installs.
>
> Most people don't build their machines anymore.

I'm not even sure it's possible to build a laptop at home,
beyond such elementary things as memory and disk changeout
(which on my nx9010 is easy enough, once one figures out
how to remove a certain rubber plug :-) ).  And even with a
standard PC the building is generally limited to switching
mass-produced cards around (including the main motherboard)
[*].  Easy enough for those who aren't too fumblefingered,
but not quite the same.

http://www.homebrewcpu.com/

is a true homebrew, running Minix 2.  It's even more
ambitious than my attempts with the 1802 microprocessor
(for starters, it doesn't use a microprocessor; it's
all SSL).

The Webring has some other interesting entries as well.

>
> [deletia]
>
> Most real consumers probably have multiple copies of value
> Windows licenses they no longer use due to the associated
> hardware no longer existing.
>
> My own household accounts for 2 XP, 1 Vista and 2 MacOS
> licenses that aren't being used. That's not counting
> older copies of Windows we might have lying around or
> even older hardware that's died.
>
> Most people have probably paid for Windows multiple times
> as they have replaced aged or infested hardware.
>

I know I've got 2 sets of Win 3.1 discs, and at least
1 set of MS-DOS.

Microsoft's got a really nice thing going there, doesn't it? :-)

[*] there are some prototype PCI cards available, if one
    doesn't mind soldering or wire-wrapping.

-- 
#191, ewill3@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Insert random misquote here.
** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

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