In
EvolBob said:
Hi all.
I'm new to this group and after reading the previous 200 posts
you
have already answered several questions. - thanks.
But -
- Why would a home user do this?
He is the only user. At any one time, only one OS is being
used by
him, even if both computers are on he can't split into two
persons.
Like using two pianos, its a stretch
The question was about having two computers with Windows XP on
both of them. In most cases, people who want to do that either
want to have one on a laptop and one on a desktop, or want to
have two computers, one for each of two household members.
This particular person said he was the only user, so why he wants
two computers I don't know. But I wasn't trying to second-guess
him. He said he wanted two, and I accepted that. My reply had to
do with what he had to do to have Windows XP on both.
What about multitasking on XPSR2 with a high priced graphic
card, the
latest software and networking, one could have several monitors
accessing different programs on the same computer?
No extra license for that is needed.
True, but irrelevant in the context of the question he asked.
I just tried the Open Office suite and for a free software
application - it just blew my socks off!
I've never used it myself, but I've heard good other reports from
those who have liked it.
MS has its money grubbing days numbered!
Highly unlikely.
Personally I prefer WordPerfect, which is also cheaper than
Microsoft Office (but obviously more expensive than the free
OpenOffice).
I don't support piracy, but to do this one needs to have
deprived MS
from something?
And for most it is copy the OS to the other machine or not:
Buying
another copy is NOT a viable option.
The laws say you need to adhere to the license agreement, If you
don't like that license agreement, don't buy the product. There
*are* other choices, as you yourself point out, talking about
OpenOffice.
Selling a computer without an OS is like selling a car without
tyres.
I'm not sure what point that statement is supposed to be making.
He's building a computer, not buying one. When you build a
computer yourself, it doesn't come with an operating system or
with anything else.
And by the way, there's nothing wrong with buying a computer
without an operating system or with buying a car without tires.
You can't use the computer without an operating system or a car
without tires, but that doesn't preclude your buying either that
way and supplying the operating system or tires yourself. For
example, someone who wants to install a free version of Linux
would normally prefer to buy a computer without an operating
system. And someone, for example, who owns a tire business might
find it cheaper to buy without tires and supply them himself.
Again why would a person like myself (financially constipated)
go and
spend $200 NZ dollars for another OS, for something I already
have?
Because the law requires you to adhere to the terms of the
license agreement. Becuase not doing so is stealing. Because it's
immoral. Because it can get you into severe legal difficulties if
you get caught.
If you can't afford a loaf of bread, do you steal it? If you
can't afford a car, do you steal one? Why do you think it's OK
to steal software? You say above that you don't support piracy,
but clearly you do.
Why would anyone?
I don't believe anyone does - do you, does M$?
I can't speak for anyone but myself. I own three computers--two
desktops (one for me, one for my wife) and a laptop (which we
share). The two desktops each have their own copies of Windows XP
which I bought (Professional for me, Home for my wife). The
laptop has a third copy, which came with the computer.
If you say yes you mean computers and the Internet are for the
rich
only?
Not at all. I know many people who are *far* from rich and who
use computers and the internet without stealing anything. These
days it's possible to buy computers very inexpensively. And
there's lots of free software you can run, starting with Linux
and OpenOffice.
And if you can't afford even that, then there are often public
libraries where computers and the internet can be used for free.
Buy and use whatever you can afford.
If I were Bill Gates I'd fix the OS software problems, sell the
OS for $20 and maybe $40 for the Office apps, and provide free
online
help to all new customers till the next new version.
That's very noble of you. It's too bad for all of us that you're
not Bill Gates.
What you are missing, of course, that if you were Bill Gates
trying to run a company with such noble aims, instead of making
money for its stockholders, you would likely have gone out of
business long ago.