RE: [Fsfe-uk] Explaining GPL to a Windows user

[ian]

On Mon, 2003-06-09 at 12:28, Robert (Jamie) Munro wrote:

> 
> Does a diskless machine count for the windows schools agreement? I expect
> that it may be possible to argue that it doesn't. 

You can argue, but as it stands at the moment it says any pentium
processor and then goes on to include AMD, celeron etc.Says nothing
about discs.

> If it does, then what
> about machines that the school doesn't even know about? Built into the fire
> alarm, the phone system, the vending machines etc.?

Unless they run pentium processors they are excluded and most embedded
controllers will be something else.

> I vaguely remember someone saying something about the schools agreement
> being for Pentiums and higher. What about http://www.iyonix.com/ (an acorn
> based machine) running ARMLinux? Would that slip under the bar?

Yes, but that isn't really the point. Why should a school have to jump
through hoops to suit M$'s vision of the world? Far better for the OFT
to find them guilty of anti-competitive practice and fine them 10% of
their annual UK turnover plus all the bad publicity. Best marketing for
free software possible and we don't have to pay a dime! Of course if M$
were sensible they would just admit that MSSA is anti-competitive and
change it to cover say machines running Windows or as with Campus
Agreement base it on the number of users. I don't think they will so as
the old saying goes, pride comes before a fall. It could be that once
the OFT get really familiar with the situation they take things further
and regulate them or something. M$ are taking a big risk in letting this
run but that's up to them.

-- 
ian <address@hidden>