CompuServe Messages

Alexandre, yes, it's blackmail, but I don't think it's illegal. Microsoft can't be FORCED to sell to anyone they don't like to sell to. Likewise, nobody can be forced to buy their software. That's got nothing to do with democracy, it's called 'business' (i.e. making money – or at least trying to do so). The problem with Microsoft is that they actually seem to have POWER because they provide the #1 desktop operating system and also make several key applications for it. So the buying folk have kind of an argument when they trust the maker of their operating system to make the best software for it. Far be it from me to praise Microsoft (hey, they even did the original Amiga BASIC!) but their programs aren't exactly BAD (well for PC soft anyway) so most businesses just buy them because 'nobody gets fired for buying Microsoft' (now where did I here _that_ before…?) On the other hand, the people working in businesses who have PCs at home use the same software they use at work, so there you go. Microsoft on its way to world domination. Windows for Washing Machines, decline of air travel because of high number of plane crashes ('general protection failure' of the Microsoft Windows for Jet Planes operating system during flight)…………. 😉 // Christian "ELP" Busse \X/ near Frankfurt, Germany