Bill Gates = Robin Hood?

[Embattle]

If you look at the way in which Bill Gates works then its easy to see him as the modern day Robin Hood.

There is no question that he is a very charitable man, he gave something like $15 Billion away last year. While I'm sure we don't mind giving to charities ourselves its questionable that we want to give to charity through over priced software, such as Windows, Office, etc.

The man takes from the richer and gives to the poor/needy.

 

[stu]

Actually, I've got a lot of time for Bill Gates. He's a fantastic businessman, he adapts to change brilliantly, he recognises the faults in his own company and works to change them. Also, he does give a SHITLOAD to charity. A lot of stupid people made a calculation and said something like "$13bill is nothing to Bill Gates, it's the equivalent of me giving someone a tenner, stingy bastard". It isn't nothing, it's thirteen billion dollars. Added to which, he's pledged to give away 90% of his total fortune over his lifetime. Which is a SHITLOAD of money.

People who criticise him are often just jumping on the bandwagon. I love it when some idiot goes "Windows is shit, Microsoft are shit, Bill Gates is a cunt", and they don't really have any proper reasons to back it up.

 

[old.MeddlE]

I had a junior tech working for me once who constantly slagged off Bill Gates and MicroSoft, claiming he hated them both.
So we did a little survey.
1st question, which operating system are you using? Answer Windows 98.

I wont bore you with the rest, but he had a total of 13 MicroSoft applications installed on his computer. He was very quiet after that.

 

[Embattle]

I have no problem with MS, its just they charge to much for there software. It seems that Lawyers are going to try and expand the case against Microsoft in a worldwide claim for damages because the current case has found that MS overchanged for Windows by $40.

 

[*Exor*]

I think this software overcharging stuff is total bollox.

If you think the software is overpriced, don't fucking buy it, I mean it's common sense isn't it?

 

[old.TUG]

erm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL @ Exor

Yeah fuck it all, use copied software, much cheaper.

 

[Embattle]

lol @ Exor for his usual weak minded response .

 

[*Exor*]

Weak minded? it's a fact.

If I see something that I think is a rip-off, I don't fucking buy it. Anyone that does is a thick retard.

 

[stu]

That's it all of you, everyone jump on Paul.

It's a pretty bloody obvious point isn't it. Would you buy a pair of trousers for £500? No. Would you pay £50 for a packet of cereal? No. How is it weak-minded? If you think something is too expensive, don't bloody buy it. Linux is free, use that instead if you think Windows is too expensive.

Christ on a bike...

 

[xane]

Exor has a point (hell, what did I just say ?!).

For application software, where there is competition, Microsoft charges just as much as anyone else. You get a better product if you pay more, and MS do make good products.

For OS, which remember they have a monopoly with and can charge what they like, the prices are not so bad. Windows has only gone through four major updates in the last ten years where you needed to pay for it and none has been "overpriced", most of the time you are getting the OS free with the machine anyway.

Bill got rich because he did it right, rather than franchise the market like Apple and Sun did he made no demands on anyone wanting to "freeload" off the success of Windows, thereby encouraging third-party involvment and boosting Windows sales in the process.

------------------
camazotz

 

[Embattle]

I'll think you'll find that any monoploy has to be watched and dealt with by the government.

I'm sorry but Linux is no alternative to Windows.

Yeah Exor you're so right about software overpricing, the DOJ (Department of Justice) has got it totally wrong . I'm not so much talking about the USA but more about how they charge OEMs and people more.

Yes you could choose wordperfect instead of Office but they, while good products, have compatibility problems with Office. This wouldn't be a problem if Office didn't hold 95% of the market. A lot of this was gained through forcing suppliers to use Office if they wanted to use Windows. Now every one is use to it.

I could write so much more but its pointless since its not up to any of us and as I mention the Lawyers are looking to expand the case against MS.

Oh by the way the weak minded bit refers to your need to swear in every post .



[This message has been edited by Embattle (edited 20 June 2000).]