Winged wrote:

> optikl wrote:
>> Imhotep wrote:
>>
>>> Max Burke wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>
>>>> There are far more important things to hate in the world than a
>>>> software company.....
>>>> That is, if you're not a *nix 'advocate' of course.....
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> ...how about major companies that stickup for spammers? How about
>>> those same
>>> companies that do not do much to protect their over priced systems from
>>> becoming spyware magnets? Nope, I am content with this being an
>>> "important
>>> thing"....
>>>
>>> As for being a "*nix advocate" I am and I am proud of that...
>>>
>>> Im
>>
>>
>> There wouldn't be as many nix advocates had Microsoft followed the model
>> that makes great companies great. The three legs of the stool are
>> customer focus, market share and employee focus. Great companies inspire
>> customer loyalty, dominate market share and are great places for
>> employees to work. Microsoft got rid of the first leg a while ago. The
>> second leg is still strong. I have no idea about the third; any
>> Microsoft employees care to comment?
>
> To me it is a question of "who" Microsoft considers its most valuable
> customers. Apparently it is not the paying customers, but DRM
> advocates, and "advertisers" and their own interests (they do own the
> worlds largest movie archive and worlds 3rd largest studio and 2nd
> largest TV network).
>
> I have already considered the hardware DRM based approach that MS is now
> foisting indicating they have to because the "movie studios demand it"
> (indication of customer) before they will allow us the next generation
> of digital content. I calculate it will take about $500 in hardware
> modifications to break the protection.
>
> Additionally the broken content will be free of any DRM constraint.
> This would be illegal however the pirates I do not believe will have any
> issue with the limitation.
>
> I am just curious how many millions it will cost their paying customers,
> to protect the DRM advocates, on a scheme that won't work. Yes, it
> will require hardware modifications, but this behavior has always pushed
> the envelope. I expect Freenet and other similar technologies to
> blossom in the next decade completely changing the web as we know it
> today, and thwarting those who think they control it. It shall be fun to
> watch.
>
> Winged

Excellent comments. I also agree. Most modern commercial inventions were
invented based on customer need. However, now-a-days we are seeing
companies dictate what customers want! Hummm....something is wrong with
that. I see it going down like this. Microsoft and various other groups
will team up to try to slow down and stall technologies other than the
technologies that fit into their plan (Linux, etc) by pitching bogus IP
laws, etc....Eventually, things will work out and MS will be left with a
bad rep and unwanted software....

Im