[coloradan]

You're a good MS cheerleader - perhaps you can explain to me how Gates's behavior differs from that of a drug pusher, who gives away samples of the latest drug "for free," expecting some change the new users will become addicted and therefore become valuable future customers.

[blowfish]

Well, I am probably the least microsoft-friendly person around. But since Bush200 took his 'niceness vow' this week, I will help him out:
The main difference between your two examples is that a drug pusher's activities are clearly illegal. Microsoft's tactics, while pushing the envelope, are not *quite* outside the 'really aggressive business practice' realm. The intent might be the same, but Microsoft left themselves enough wiggle room to argue that recipients had the clearly-stated option to return the software.
Jeez, I'm defending Microsoft. Someone just slap me until I snap out of it...

[cosine]

Wow, such purity! Do you put companies who offer free samples at grocery stores, in the newspaper, and at various events in the same category?

Plus you apparently find Microsoft products addictive. They're that good? Really?

[SamAdams76]

I can explain how Gates's behavior is different than drug dealers: His products are legal. Also, he makes a lot more money then drug dealers.

But Microsoft software is sort of like a drug. I must say I get a bit of a "rush" when I walk into a computer store and see some new Microsoft shrink-wrapped software. My pulse quickens and I instinctively reach for my wallet. I want it so bad. Sometimes I'll buy a Microsoft product I have absolutely no use for just because it was so attractively packaged. My computer room bookshelf is full of Microsoft programs I paid good money for but rarely ever used. FrontPage97, Encarta Encyclopedia, Microsoft Cinema (released around 1996 and movie reviews and audio soundclips of popular movies that I never got around to listening to), even a copy of Microsoft Access. One of these days, I have to figure out how to use Access. In the meantime, I'll keep using my Microsoft Excel as my database of choice. That Access is just so complicated. But it was worth every penny of the $199 I paid for it, I'm sure. I just have to read the manual someday and figure it all out.

[Sofa King]

Well, Gates doesn't slap around his hoes and perform drive-by shootings.