Why is it so hard for you to understand that the $29 is for an upgrade to OSX Leopard, not OS X Tiger? Those are two different OSes and two different products.
The people you and Bott are wanting to be able to get to pay $29 own Tiger, they NEVER bought or paid for Leopard, so how can they upgrade it? It is akin to complaining that someone can't install Service Pack 2 for Vista on WindowsXP.
Before you argue that the Windows SP2 is free, but Apple is charging for their upgrade, Snow Leopard has a cost because it adds new functions that a mere service pack does not making a new OS.
As for the $9.95 charge for the Snow Leopard upgrade for those who purchased Macs after June 8th, that has to do with GAAP rules that were put in place in 2004 that require that Apple charge for "new" functionality or be subject to a potential stockholder's lawsuit for improperly transferring company assets without compensation. Apple charges a nominal price for the upgrade to satisfy the requirements of the regulations plus shipping and handling.
Why does this matter to you? You aren't involved.
I Windows user running XP now will be able to get their upgrade for $50 as a pre-order now. XP to Windows 7 as an upgrade. No step to having to upgrade to Vista first. Why wouldn’t Apple offer an upgrade to Tiger users. Instant upgrade from Tiger to Snow Leopard would be a show of good will to their user base. I know you will rehash about how relevant Mac users already upgraded to Leopard a long time ago. Wouldn’t you think Apple users would want to get Tiger users on board? The $169 package smacks of greed to me especially since it isn’t an upgrade as it is just a discount for current Apple users to buy a full install of SNow Leopard for less than retail.
Apple’s $29 pricing decision is a clever one. They’re counting on gullible reporters and analysts to make oversimplified comparisons with Windows 7, and they’re hoping to goad Ballmer and Company into reacting with a slashed price of their own. If Microsoft is smart, they won’t take the bait.
I think Ed Bott summed up his article well with these last 2 paragraphs. I happen to agree with him and don't see how you can spin it any other way Swordmaker. Knowing you though, you can't help it and you will try to spin it anyways.