[Astronaut]

"Hate to say this, but the AOL users (akin to a "just put gas in it and go" type of car owner) will make this strategy a success in the consumer market."

I keep hoping that Big Brother Gates' tactics will spark a consumer revolt, and people will abandon Microsoft for alternatives like the Macintosh or Linux. However, I fear that you are probably correct, and the sheeple will just go along with Longhorn, Palladium, and whatever else causes them to lose control of their computers, and of the flow of information itself. Its a terrifying prospect.

For me, I will continue to enjoy Microsoft free-computing with OS X. The Macintosh provides freedom from a Gates-dominated vision of computing.

[Billy_bob_bob]

Posting this reply from an Imac running OS X 10.2.2 using the iCab browser. No Micro$oft products on this machine! I've had it with the whole Wintel paradigm, and I'm not spending another penny on anything related to that platform. OS X rocks, it is truly the nicest system I've ever used, and I've used a whole bunch going back to when Carter was President.

If anyone out there is considering a new Mac, do yourself a favor and go check one out for yourself. Bring your digital camera or camcorder and plug it in to the USB or Firewire port just so see how easy it is to use with the Mac. I love my Apple computers and I'm never going back to Wintel machines again.

[krb]

The Macintosh provides freedom from a Gates-dominated vision of computing.

Didn't Gates give $150 million to Apple a few years back? I don't think that Apple is pure non-Gates anymore...

[Clara Lou]

I am ready to revolt, but this is my situation: I choose never to go the Macintosh route. I want to stick with a PC. (My son can put together a new PC for me in an afternoon, as well as repairs and replacing parts.) Isn't Linux for servers and networks? Isn't Linux software limited? I surf a little, email a little, use MS Office alot. Is Linux going to fit my needs, or would I have to fit my needs to what Linux can do?