Article:		Windows XP from a Mac Perspective
Subject:		XP ambivalence
Date:		2002-02-12 18:32:39
From:		gostong
I too recently installed Windows XP and, although I am quite satisfied with its performance (an unspeakably vast improvement over the nightmarishly bad Windows Me), Microsoft has ironically convinced me, once and for all, to purchase only Linux or Mac software in the future. The simple reason: their draconian anti-piracy system, allowing the OS to be installed on only one computer. I'm sorry, but I just don't see anything morally or ethically wrong with some poor schmuck like me wanting to re-install the OS if I get one or two extra PC's for my home. If I want to have an experimental second PC, or one for my kid, I'll need to fork over another $500 for Windows XP. While I fully understand Microsoft's desire to crack down on large-scale piracy, treating your innocent home users as the Enemy is certainly no way to win adherents to your cause. I will never buy another Microsoft OS again.

Showing messages 1 through 1 of 1.

• XP ambivalence
  2002-02-12 20:03:53  davidcl [Reply | View]
  
  
  gostong, Windows XP Home Edition is $200, and Professional is $300. They are less if you get them with a new PC (I charge $100 for Home and $150 for Professional based on my OEM prices). So I'm not clear where the $500 figure is coming from.
  
  Derrick, thanks for this article. I've been going through similar situations. I'm currently using, on my various computers, Mac OS 9, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. In this context, Mac OS 9, which crashes a few times a day, starts to feel like Windows 98 did for you! But I can't upgrade to OS X yet because my printers are not compatible.
  
  Oh well, at least I don't have a corporate IT department telling me what to do.