[Gllug] EU patents

[Daniel Ahrens]

I can't say that the Betamax argument is a valid comparison here: if Betamax
had the kind of user base that Linux has (in terms of numbers), I'm sure it
would have survived. Also, *nix has been alive and well for nearly 34 years
now, therefore it isn't really a new idea trying to break into a new market.
Even XWindows started before M$ Windoze did. If I remember correctly (at
risk of showing up my age) Betamax was quite expensive to own at the time,
and VHS was the cheap alternative. In this case the masses went for the
cheap alternative, like they / we almost always do. There are other Video
formats that also died eg. UMatic, but for different reasons.  VHS is going
to die pretty soon because DVD is superior. The next digital video format is
going to screw DVD and so on. As Linux isn't just a format but a philosophy,
a way of life, a way of engineering and it has a massive following, it can
only grow. Anyway, I don't believe in a world where the powers that are can
totally manipulate the masses to an extend where *nix will cease to exist.
Vested interests or not. Apart from the fact that a large proportion of orgs
with vested interests eg. US Military are already heavily relying on *nix
systems and also open source software like the embedded SQLite database
engine. I also don't believe in a world where only Linux exists: competition
is the magic ingredient that seems to spur people's creativity and this in
turn results in new discoveries / inventions. But of course... world
domination by *nix is certain. :)





dan at prankstersproductions.com
************************************
http://www.prankstersproductions.com





-----Original Message-----
From: gllug-admin at linux.co.uk [mailto:gllug-admin at linux.co.uk]On Behalf
Of Christopher Hunter
Sent: 01 July 2003 00:25
To: gllug at linux.co.uk
Subject: Re: [Gllug] EU patents


On Monday 30 Jun 2003 11:42 pm, Daniel Ahrens wrote:

> Geez, what a dim view of 'the Real World [TM]'. The silent majority is
> doing no-one any favours. Only by engaging can you make a difference.

/snip/

Agreed.  However, the disparate (and warring) factions in the OS world have
to
get together and bury their differences.  As long as the monolithic M$ can
see that we're not organised, it can continue to line Bill's pockets.

> Doesn't the fact that
> you are on this list signify that you DO believe that change is possible?
> :)

Yes, change is almost inevitable.  M$ and the major manufacturers are
colluding to make Windoze "hardware locked".  Most computer purchasers won't
be happy with this, and when they introduce their own BIOS, even the
computer
manufacturers will begin to think long and hard about Microshaft's
interference in their businesses.....

I got involved with "alternative" OS's many years ago, and firmly believe
that
*nix is the way to go....  However, you must remember - "Betamax" was a far
superior domestic video system, and look what the vested interests foisted
upon us!

 Chris

 "It doesn't matter who you vote for, the "Government" always gets in!"
 - Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Bnd


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