CompuServe Thread

Alexandre, There are many companies that have exclusive marketing agreements with their vendors. Microsoft isn't alone in this. In the United States…there are laws against certain forms of this, but there are exceptions. If you don't like Microsoft products…the answer is real simple, don't buy them. If enough people agree with you, then Microsoft will either change their policies…or go out of business. But the fact is, a large majority don't agree with you, and so Microsoft (and others) will continue to do what they do…because it works. Don

By your user id, I see that you do not live in the United States. Here in the U.S. there are regulations about what you can, and cannot do to vendors of your products. Microsoft has agreed here to quit do some things that others complained were restraint of trade, and unfair. However, they did not (to my knowledge) agree to changes in their policy overseas. (our term for all of you living "over there") Microsoft business practices, in your country, are bound by the laws of your country. Thus if, the laws of your country, (even though it is a democracy), allow such practices, then there is not much to be done. I would suggest that you take this matter up with your government. While we as individuals could boycott Microsoft products, as Amiga owners we are pretty much in that position as far as our Amiga software goes anyway, since there are no Microsoft products for the Amiga.

Alexandre, You're misspelling DEMOCRATY – it's spelled DEMOCRAZY 🙂 OK. I'm kidding – it's spelled democracy. DJ Autopilot 1.80 by Steve Ahlstrom From Queens, Center of the Looniverse …

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