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Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.development.apps,comp.os.linux.development.system,comp.os.linux.x,comp.os.linux.hardware,comp.os.linux.setup,comp.unix.bsd.386bsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc,comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc,comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc Path: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!nntp.coast.net!zombie.ncsc.mil!news.mathworks.com!newsfeed.internetmci.com!in2.uu.net!mail2news.alias.net!myriad!mylinuxbox!suck!netcom.com!stephenk From: stephenk@netcom.com (Stephen Knilans) Subject: Re: Why to not buy Matrox Millennium Message-ID: <stephenkDp5xr1.69v@netcom.com> Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest) References: <4j6msk$ho@darkstar.my.lan> <DovMp4.765@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> <4jn4qp$6p@darkstar.my.lan> Date: Mon, 1 Apr 1996 03:01:49 GMT Lines: 48 Sender: stephenk@netcom12.netcom.com Xref: euryale.cc.adfa.oz.au comp.os.linux.development.apps:13933 comp.os.linux.development.system:20382 comp.os.linux.x:28169 comp.os.linux.hardware:34999 comp.os.linux.setup:48284 comp.unix.bsd.386bsd.misc:384 comp.unix.bsd.bsdi.misc:2903 comp.unix.bsd.netbsd.misc:2674 comp.unix.bsd.freebsd.misc:16380 In article <4jn4qp$6p@darkstar.my.lan> alex@darkstar.ping.at (Alexander Sanda) writes: >In article <DovMp4.765@cogsci.ed.ac.uk> >Richard Tobin (richard@cogsci.ed.ac.uk) wrote: > >> It's hard to see how concealing programming information stops their >> technology being "stolen", as you put it. >> >> In any case, if enough people boycott their products then maybe they >> will decide that they're losing more than they gain. > >As you wrote - maybe. But don't forget: linux is not a mainstream OS. >This is also true for other (free or commercial) unices. And all those >DOS/Win/OS/2 users have no reason to complain, because they are >getting their drivers (for free). How do YOU know that the DOS/WIN/OS/2 users are getting drivers for free? How do you know they CAN get them? What of WIN 96, 97,98? What of dos 8? What of OS/2 4.0? They don't exist yet, you say? THAT is the POINT! And what of TODAYS DOS game or CAD program that may not work? It ISN'T cut and dry! > >Let's assume, that 10% of all linux users think about getting a matrox >card. Now assume, that _all_ those people boycott matrox (which won't >happen), because there is no free driver support. Even this scenario >won't be a great loss for matrox. > >This sounds disappointing, but it's reality :-( > AH, the LIBERAL way of thinking! NOW, let's add a little REALITY, shall we? Let's assume that many of those linux users are high end users(likely, given the nature of the beast), and that they have friends/acquaintances/business associates/bosses/people under them. ALL the above groups may decide NOT to buy matrox! Also assume that they may spread the word through some means. Let's take an off the wall example, shall we? maybe the INTERNET, and spread the word about MATROXes bad support. I GUARANTEE, that if linux users were 10% of the market, that at LEAST 50% of the market will hear of it! *I*, for example, bought no such card, yet heard of it HERE!!! Even if I DIDN'T use LINUX, I wouldn't touch their card! Steve BTW MANY people have asked me regarding purchase of computer equipment. I MUST recommend AGAINST any such product!