Worship Not False Idols...

[Vex]

Anyway, don't go getting biblical on me, this article isn't about that. However, I can certainly apply this argument towards pro paintball--hell, even paintball in general.

Read.
Comment.

Read Me, Seymour!

[slade]

Simon is my Saviour

[Iomega0001]

Viva Bill Gates.

[slade]

Viva Bill Gates.

viva la linux!!!

[Steelrat]

viva la linux!!!

When Linus or any other the other Linux people give 9 billion to charity, let me know. Until then, Bill deserves the props.

[jhardy66]

Since 80-90% of the Linux software is free, I would take Linus Torvalds over the price-gauging monopoly that is known as Bill Gates anyday.

[Steelrat]

Since 80-90% of the Linux software is free, I would take Linus Torvalds over the price-gauging monopoly that is known as Bill Gates anyday.

Its not price gouging. Just because it's not free, that doesn't mean its overpriced. MS prices the same as the competitors. And don't go crying over the fact that MS is dominant in the marketplace. 99% of the complaining I hear about MS is just jealousy, plain and simple.

Maybe its just me, but I like having one common OS, thank you very much.

And maybe you missed this, but Bill Gates has, himself, given away over 9 BILLION dollars of his own money through his charity foundation, to the impoverished people of the world. Hardly the work of someone who is pure evil. What has Linus Torvalds done lately?

[jhardy66]

Believe me, I have worked for Microsoft and a lot of the business practices are not what you would call kosher. I have my reasons for my opinions, as do you. I do know how much Gates puts out every year for charity, which I applaud. At the same time, he treats his workers like kings, we had everything we needed and more, which I applaud. However, to set him up on a diety-type pedistl is a little overkill I think (not saying that is what you are doing). Sure he gives out AT LEAST 9 billion a year for charity, but look at how much he is worth and how much he pulls in every year...he's only giving around 13% of his income, which granted is more than a lot of people, but not as much as that guy giving over 25% of his $30K/yr salary to help cure cancer.
I have seen and actually been a small part in some of these questionable tactics at Microsoft and must say that is prob why as an IT Professional, I develop all of my websites and databases in the Linux realm. Not to say I do not use Microsoft products. I may not like how Microsoft "does" some of their products, but few can argue that their products aren't good. One of my networks is actually setup and run using all Microsoft software (OS, AD, etc....).
I know the definition of price gauging, I don't need one from you. Yes Microsoft's products are at par with everyone else's software, but guess who is the standard for price setting on this stuff. Microsoft practically has most major computer manufacturers and distributors around the balls. The price they set their software at IS rather high and unfortunately other companies price theirs modeled after Microsoft. If it were priced at an appropriate level, Bill Gates would not be the richest man on Earth. I applaud him for bringing computers to the forefront seemingly singlehandedly and for his brilliant innovations that have revolutionized the industry, however he is in the end looking out for numero uno, not the customers
I am far from jealous of Microsoft or Gates. I have met Mr. Gates personally and feel he is a sheer genious. Microsoft has flourished because of the mans brilliant marketing and programming ideas. I respect him as a person immensely, however it is the fact that the company itsself is not a true reflection of him. At that I would like to take my original comment back, it was meant to be a cut at Microsoft, not Mr. Gates. I simply typed the wrong thing and didn't notice.
Also, you don't have to run Microsoft Windows to have one common OS. I have one of my departments running completely off Linux...independant of Microsoft. Also, I have a nework setup running UNIX (the originator). I have fewer problems out my UNIX network than any of the other ones, and it is used a LOT more frequently for a LOT more strenous tasks.

Next, I never said he was evil...so don't put words in my mouth please. And secondly, before you go thrashing me and my opinions, please do so with a little more respect, seeing as how I did not cut you, I simply gave my opinion. Also next time you make a statement, be able to back it up with either facts or experience. Opinions are one thing, everyone is entitled to their own and free to give theirs, but when you start thrashing others, then it moves to a different level in which you should be able to back it up.

[Steelrat]

Believe me, I have worked for Microsoft and a lot of the business practices are not what you would call kosher. I have my reasons for my opinions, as do you. I do know how much Gates puts out every year for charity, which I applaud. At the same time, he treats his workers like kings, we had everything we needed and more, which I applaud. However, to set him up on a diety-type pedistl is a little overkill I think (not saying that is what you are doing). Sure he gives out AT LEAST 9 billion a year for charity, but look at how much he is worth and how much he pulls in every year...he's only giving around 13% of his income, which granted is more than a lot of people, but not as much as that guy giving over 25% of his $30K/yr salary to help cure cancer.
I have seen and actually been a small part in some of these questionable tactics at Microsoft and must say that is prob why as an IT Professional, I develop all of my websites and databases in the Linux realm. Not to say I do not use Microsoft products. I may not like how Microsoft "does" some of their products, but few can argue that their products aren't good. One of my networks is actually setup and run using all Microsoft software (OS, AD, etc....).
I know the definition of price gauging, I don't need one from you. Yes Microsoft's products are at par with everyone else's software, but guess who is the standard for price setting on this stuff. Microsoft practically has most major computer manufacturers and distributors around the balls. The price they set their software at IS rather high and unfortunately other companies price theirs modeled after Microsoft. If it were priced at an appropriate level, Bill Gates would not be the richest man on Earth. I applaud him for bringing computers to the forefront seemingly singlehandedly and for his brilliant innovations that have revolutionized the industry, however he is in the end looking out for numero uno, not the customers
I am far from jealous of Microsoft or Gates. I have met Mr. Gates personally and feel he is a sheer genious. Microsoft has flourished because of the mans brilliant marketing and programming ideas. I respect him as a person immensely, however it is the fact that the company itsself is not a true reflection of him. At that I would like to take my original comment back, it was meant to be a cut at Microsoft, not Mr. Gates. I simply typed the wrong thing and didn't notice.
Also, you don't have to run Microsoft Windows to have one common OS. I have one of my departments running completely off Linux...independant of Microsoft. Also, I have a nework setup running UNIX (the originator). I have fewer problems out my UNIX network than any of the other ones, and it is used a LOT more frequently for a LOT more strenous tasks.

Next, I never said he was evil...so don't put words in my mouth please. And secondly, before you go thrashing me and my opinions, please do so with a little more respect, seeing as how I did not cut you, I simply gave my opinion. Also next time you make a statement, be able to back it up with either facts or experience. Opinions are one thing, everyone is entitled to their own and free to give theirs, but when you start thrashing others, then it moves to a different level in which you should be able to back it up.

Well, this is the line that set me off:

I would take Linus Torvalds over the price-gauging monopoly that is known as Bill Gates anyday.

I am 100% SICK of people thrashing MS for no good reason. I too have intimate knowledge of MS and their inner workings. People beat MS up for their pricing model, but in a pure capitalist system (like we are supposed to be), companies price what the market will bear, not what is "fair" or "right." If the market thought MS was overpriced, no one would buy it. Some might argue back that MS has a strange-hold on the market, and so people are almost forced to buy their products at whatever price, but MS didn't start out in that position. They fought, and won, to get to be #1, and have earned their place. And its not like they are asking for someone's first born child or anything

I did not intend to "cut you up." From the brief blurb you posted, it seemed like we were on the cusp of another baseless anti-"M$" rant. Your above post is very well composed, insightful, and thought-provoking. Had I seen that, I never would have fired up my own rant-machine

BTW, Bill Gates has gone on record as saying he intends to leave very little of his personal fortune as an inheretance for his children. Just because he hasn't given it all away so far, doesn't mean he is going to spend tens of billions in the future.

As for experience with MS, without going into details, lets just say that I've spent a fair amount of time walking the corridors at Redmond. I feel qualified enough to attept to rebut those who choose to attack MS (not necessarily you) for stupid or unjustified reasons.

[jhardy66]

I undertsand why that first line would...as I said, I did not type what I meant. As is, the line I typed sends a different message than what I was intending.

I undertsand completely what you are saying. I personally prefer Linux and Unix over Microsft in most things, but do recognize that Microsoft is sometimes the best choice. However you didn't hear me say that! lol. I too, though, have grown tired of the M$ rants...even though I have been guilty of those and "Mac-in-trash" name callings as well. And as much as it pains me to say, I also think OS X for Mac is an amazing OS...very impressed.

My main problem lies with what was said in the article...Mr Gates, Mr. Jobs, and Mr. Torvalds are all far from being the diety forms that they have been ballooned (sp?) into in today's society. Brilliant men with big dreams, yes...men worthy of admiration, yes...dieties or demi-gods, NO.

I appreciate your last post and hope I didn't offend with my last post. If so, my apologies sir.

[SCpoloRicker]

I work for Bill Gates?

/just kidding
//Steelrat always gets into MS stuff

[maxama10]

JHardy, those were some excellent posts. Do you or did you work at UGA, just out of curiosity?

[slade]

I work for Bill Gates?

/just kidding
//Steelrat always gets into MS stuff

i was waiting for that

/did josh tell you?
//*insert anti-M$ speech*
///go linux?

[Lohman446]

However, to set him up on a diety-type pedistl is a little overkill I think (not saying that is what you are doing)

But I'm going to make my arguments as if you were anyways...

[jhardy66]

JHardy, those were some excellent posts. Do you or did you work at UGA, just out of curiosity?

UGA is one of my jobs, yes. I work in IT for UGA Food Service.

But I'm going to make my arguments as if you were anyways...

Because the not all of my post was intended directly at SteelRat. Most of it is in response to his post, but some was in response to the original post that started this thread, so as to keep it on topic.