[lug] M$ does it again...down under

[John Hernandez]

Bill Thoen wrote:

> So maybe Linux could be used with old parts, but it's a bit of a
> job figuring out all the tweaks and problems. You need to have a
> set of skills beyond what most people have, and you will probably
> have difficulties with upgrades.
>

Part of the reason I floated the question was an attempt to gauge how much of a headache Linux would present to a charitable organization that deals with a hodgepodge of old hardware.  After reading some of the answers provided, even if installation challange was ironed out, I think the resources required by X and its associated apps (particularly productivity suites) are beyond the capabilities of many older machines.  RAM and video hardware seem to be the biggest problems.

> Seems to me that since Microsoft made such a fuss about insisting
> that all computers be sold with Windows, what right to they have
> to insist that just because a new human is behind the same
> keyboard that that human must buy the latest copy of Windows? And
> good luck getting Win2000 to work on old computers!
>

As everyone else pointed out, Microsoft has the legal right crack down on them -- and even the obligation to defend the copyright, but I still think they should choose their targets with more tact.  I am convinced they MUST practice selective enforcement already, because as a matter of time and efficiency, they cannot possibly follow up on every piracy lead, aside from perhaps sending a toothless nastygram.

Yes, yes, the charity pirates software and breaks the law.  It's analagous to the tale of Robin Hood.  Sometimes ethics, morals, philanthropy, and the law don't agree.  In cases like these, every interest has a strong case, but my (perhaps irrational) romanticism makes me want to side with the law-breaker.

In the day and age of almighty databases, perhaps there should be a way to tie a commercial OS license to a computer serial number -- being sure to exclude information such as names for the sake of privacy.  I guess the question becomes, which COMPONENT of the system is the license cross-referenced to?  Motherboard maybe, seing as how each computer requires one and only one?  The challenge is that many of the charity's computers are probably products of a few canibalized systems.

> --
> - Bill Thoen
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> GISnet, 1401 Walnut St., Suite C, Boulder, CO  80302
> tel: 303-786-9961, fax: 303-443-4856
> mailto:bthoen at ctmap.com, http://www.ctmap.com/gisnet
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> _______________________________________________
> Web Page:  http://lug.boulder.co.us
> Mailing List: http://lists.lug.boulder.co.us/mailman/listinfo/lug

-- 

  - John Hernandez - Network Engineer - 303-497-6392 -
 |  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration   |
 |  Mailstop R/OM12. 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305  |
  ----------------------------------------------------