Replies

"While working as a VAR in 1997, I sold hundreds of these systems to companies that used one or more of the other operating systems. When Microsoft changed their licenses, all of my orders for Compaq systems from companies that used other-than-Microsoft software dried up. They bought systems that we built instead so that they could get Netware, OS/2 or SCO"

I engineered more than one system that got sold all over the country in the exact time period you describe. Your mistake was using Compaq. There were lots of alternatives to this. That time frame was a high point of alternate PC integrators -- who sold the machines with NO OS. EVERYBODY knew that Compaq was essentially a MS-ONLY box. THAT WAS COMPAQ'S CHOICE AND WAS FORCED ON NOBODY. I also bet that you were quite happy with Compaq' relationship with MS while it benefited you.

"While working as a VAR in 1997, I sold hundreds of these systems to companies that used one or more of the other operating systems. When Microsoft changed their licenses, all of my orders for Compaq systems from companies that used other-than-Microsoft software dried up. They bought systems that we built instead so that they could get Netware, OS/2 or SCO"

What are you talking about? I bought Compaq servers between 98-2000 and had the option of purchasing any OS I wanted, as well as purchasing no OS at all. I quit using Compaqs when they just couldn't match the specs for the same price as Dell. I also had choice in OS on the Dells I've purchased since. Maybe I don't get copies of each of the OSes delivered, but I can get the OS I want.

You aren't really talking about dual boot here, but a multi-install option where you pick the OS you want to install the first time you boot the machine. Dual boot means that you can switch between operating systems at any time with a reboot. What a worthless option for a server!

EVERYBODY knew that Compaq was essentially a MS-ONLY box.

Wrong. Just flat wrong. The Compaq boxes I sold ran MS, IBM OS/2, SCO Unix or Novell Netware. The change came due to Microsoft's illegal (see the 1995 consent decree) licensing changes that forced Compaq to either run only MS or pay a 300% markup on Windows.

I also bet that you were quite happy with Compaq' relationship with MS while it benefited you.

I don't know of anyone that is happy with extortion.