[Tfug] Force govt to buy non-Microsoft OS?

[Jack Gillum]

My point about using law to fit one's advocacy had an animus which you
missed: the intent of that comment was conjure up those who misuse statues
in the name of their own ideology. (I begin to think of the lawsuits aimed
at Smith & Wesson for compensation of victims of 'gun violence.')

Nonetheless, I was more focusing on the anti-Microsoft propaganda -- as
correct, however, as it may be -- on this list or constantly at TFUG
meetings. Some businesses or corporations may wish to use Office or Windows,
as it may or may not work better in their environments.

In being fair, I only suggested that you should inspect other, perhaps,
illegal activities as well -- beyond the ones you say that 'make some
sense.'

--Jack




-----Original Message-----
From: tfug-admin@tfug.org [mailto:tfug-admin@tfug.org]On Behalf Of Henry
Beauduy
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 7:10 AM
To: tfug@tfug.org
Subject: Re: [Tfug] Force govt to buy non-Microsoft OS?


Jack, you say "Forcing local governments to stop using Microsoft?
Interesting; but it smells ever-so-strongly, however, of using law to fit
one's advocacy."  Isn't that what most if not all people and businesses do?
Isn't that what most if not all laws are?  Aren't most laws just an
enforcing of our own values and views?  (Actually most laws are not a
refelction of my own views:  my views belong to such a small minority that
it is generally an accident if a law reflects my own position.)   So if,
every once in a while, a law is passed that MAY make some sense, shouldn't
we hold the government to that law?

If it is ridiculus for us to pressure "government" to use non Microsoft
products, what do you say about all the lobbying money spent to pressure
government?  Our government runs on pressure.  Unfortunately, it is
generally only the big money folks who can apply the most effective
pressure.

Henry

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Gillum" <misterjacko@yahoo.com>
To: <tfug@tfug.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 12:44 AM
Subject: RE: [Tfug] Force govt to buy non-Microsoft OS?


> Forcing local governments to stop using Microsoft?
>
> Interesting; but it smells ever-so-strongly, however, of using law to fit
> one's advocacy. While most can concur that the anti-trust case against
> Microsoft is well founded and accurate -- and that other OSes might be
> superior in governmental settings -- it seems perhaps ridiculous to
> 'pressure' the use of non-Microsoft products.
>
> If counties should not do business with 'criminals,' or engage in criminal
> activity (in this regard), it might be best to as well check up on the
> appropriate licensing of GIF images at maricopa.gov. It would be
interesting
> to share the results with Unisys.
>
> --Jack
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: tfug-admin@tfug.org [mailto:tfug-admin@tfug.org]On Behalf Of Angus
> Scott-Fleming
> Sent: Monday, June 17, 2002 9:16 PM
> To: tfug@tfug.org
> Subject: [Tfug] Force govt to buy non-Microsoft OS?
>
>
> Monopolists Dropped Off At The County Line
> Posted by timothy on Monday June 17, @01:21PM
> from the interesting-approach dept.
> An anonymous reader submits: "In this discussion thread [1] members of
> PLUG (Phoenix Linux Users Group) may have come up with a way to pressure
> governmental agencies to switch to software other than that from
> Microsoft. County purchasing policies in Maricopa County, AZ prohibit
> purchasing from companies or persons convicted under state or federal
> antitrust statutes. At least one other county, Coconino, that I have
> checked so far has similar requirements [2]. I think that it's time to
> make the government follow their own rules and stop spending any more
> money with criminals."
>
> http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=02/06/17/1651231&mode=thread&tid=103
>
> [1] http://pluglist.mybutt.net/pipermail/plug-discuss/2002-
> June/025878.html
> [2] http://co.coconino.az.us/files/pdfs/purchasingpolicy.pdf
> ----
> Angus Scott-Fleming
> GeoApps, Tucson, Arizona
> http://www.geoapps.com/
> 1-520-290-5038 / fax 1-208-248-3124
> +----------------------------------------------
> ----------+

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