[man-lug] Re: [Sderby] This thing called Windoze.

[Lee Ball]

Richard Smedley wrote:

> hemstock at tiscali.co.uk wrote:
>
>> As I understand it in order for the manufacterer to use windblows, they
>> need to sign an agreement with microshaft that they will buy a windows
>> licence for every PC they build, regardless of whether that PC ships 
>> with
>> windblows.  Although the machines you buy from Dell or whoever come with
>> Red Hat, you are still buying an OEM windblows licence, the cost of 
>> which
>> is hidden in the cost of the PC.
>>  
>>
>
> According to MS this is no longer the case - but unofficially,
> who knows?
>
> Nevertheless, HPaq and others are starting to supply GNU
> desktops.
>
>> According to the MS EULA, if you do not agree with the T&Cs you can 
>> return
>> the product for a full refund.  If you goto Dell they will tell you to
>> take it up with M$, if you goto M$, they will point you at Dell.
>
>
> Yup - unless you live in Germany. Perhaps you could
> order your box from Dell's German channel?
>
>> A few
>> years ago there was a windows return day in which Linux users all polled
>> up at M$ and demanded a refund.  Although M$ laid on refreshments, I 
>> don't
>> think anyone saw a refund.
>
>
> =^)
>
>> M$'s defence for this practise is to stop
>> piracy.  In which case I guess they should force manufatures to buy 
>> an M$
>> Office licence, a Visio licence, an M$ content management server 
>> licence,
>> you get the picture.
>>  
>>
>
> FreeDOS is another alternative to OEMs...
>
>> Your only options are firstly to search the web for a manufature which
>> deals exclusivly in non M$ PCs or to build your own.
>>
>
> Well, things are changing. As well as HP and IBM, some smaller
> companies are dipping toes in the water. Sun is selling GNU/Linux
> desktops, but with plenty of non-Free software :-(
>
> Don't forget Evesham - their desktops always get good reviews
> in LXF - and uklinux's new mini-iTX multimedia boxes.
>
> - Richard
>
>
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>
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>
I was reading about this online the other week. You can too here 
http://windowsrefund.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=19&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0#3.1