gmane.politics.activism.badvista.advocate

(Digg) Microsoft tax evasion: Get gNewSense

John Sullivan — 2008-05-08T21:50:33

http://digg.com/linux_unix/Microsoft_tax_evasion_Get_gNewSense_preinstalled

Please spread the word: Windows Vista Incapable

Joshua Gay — 2008-03-18T21:56:34

Microsoft Vista is incapable of running on most machines. Even if you could run it, you'd find that it takes your general-purpose computer and makes it incapable of doing a lot of things you might want to do, like accessing your hardware (e.g., video cards), running certain third-party applications, or controlling your multimedia and other data files. Today Microsoft has shipped Windows Vista Service Pack 1, and it has done nothing in the way of providing users with more freedom and control of their machines. Read the blog: * http://badvista.fsf.org/blog/windows-vista-incapable Sign the petition: * http://badvista.fsf.org/freesoftwarefreesociety/free-software-free-society/ And please, tell your friends by forwarding this email and posting it to your favorite news aggregation site! If you post the story to places like digg, del.icio.us, and reddit, please reply to the list so that other people can share those links.

new object

paolo del bene — 2008-03-12T14:23:11

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How bad is Vista?

Jacob Maynard — 2008-03-12T01:05:59

Vista is so bad, evidently, that Microsoft employees don't even like it. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/business/09digi.html?pagewanted=1&ei=5087&em&en=16c93380cf8296d8&ex=1205294400 When they shoot themselves in the foot, it leaves us nothing to say. This makes me happy. Jacob

Please digg and promote EndSoftPatents.com

John Sullivan — 2008-02-28T21:12:11

Microsoft routinely attacks alternatives to Windows, like free software GNU/Linux operating systems, by making vague claims that those alternatives are violating Microsoft's patents. Patents serve to chill and intimidate software developers. A key component of restoring the freedom of computer users is getting rid of software patents. Today the Free Software Foundation has joined with a broad coalition to launch a campaign that will end the threat of software patents for good. Please take a moment to show your support for this effort. At digg: http://digg.com/software/Patent_reform_coalition_aims_to_abolish_software_patents At del.icio.us: http://del.icio.us/url/e4c1b84347d03f804db0d1c14cf59fb7 If you promote it in other forums, please reply to this thread with the links to call each other's attention to it. Thanks,

is there any help here?

2008-02-22T20:29:30

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Windows' Genuine Disadvantage -- Vista killswitch removed

John Sullivan — 2008-01-17T18:29:43

New post up by Matt Lee, give it a digg: http://www.digg.com/microsoft/Windows_Genuine_Disadvantage_Vista_kill_switch_removed

UK Becta recommending ODF/avoiding OOXML andVista "not recommended"

Dave Crossland — 2008-01-15T20:50:42

Hi All, Somewhat old news now, but: A UK government advisory group is recommending ODF long term and minimising upgrades to Office 2007 and avoiding OOXML. Becta is the UK Government's "key partner in the strategic development and delivery of its information and communications technology (ICT) and e-learning." It "provides strategic advice to school leaders, teaching staff and technical staff on the use of ICT in schools." - http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=becta On 9/1/2008 Becta published its review of Microsoft's Vista and Office 2007 products. This "draws conclusions on whether to upgrade, how to upgrade and document interoperability between home and school, recommending that schools and colleges review the findings of the report before considering any large-scale investment or deployment. Full report [291 kB PDF http://publications.becta.org.uk/download.cfm?resID=35275]. ZDnet coverage of the issue http://www.zdnet.co.uk/misc/print/0,1000000169,39292025-39001084c,00.htm. The key recommendations from Becta's report are in the continuation post below. * Upgrading existing ICT systems to Microsoft Vista or Office 2007 is not recommended and mixed Windows-based operating environments should be avoided. However, Vista should be considered where new institution-wide ICT provision is being planned. * No widespread deployment of Office 2007 should take place until schools and colleges are sure that they have in place mechanisms to deal with interoperability and potential digital divide issues set out in the report. * To ensure widest compatibility of files between different applications, users of Office 2007 should not save in Microsoft's new Office format (OOXML). * Due to limitations in Microsoft's implementation of the Open Document Format (ODF) international standard, users should in the short term continue to save files in the more widely adopted .doc, .xls and .ppt formats. * Pupils, teachers and parents should also be made aware of the wide range of free-to-use products currently available and on how to use and access them. * The ICT industry should be facilitating easier access to 'free-to-use' office productivity software. -- Regards, Dave

Yes

Kayla Brett — 2007-11-04T07:21:38

Ture cookie on -kayla-

Dell & Gobuntu?

Sunnz — 2007-10-15T17:25:47

I don't know what people's view about this or if you have heard about Gobuntu... But Gobuntu is like gNewSense, a distribution of Ubuntu without non-free software, drivers, nor codecs. From what I have seen it encourages free software in a ways, e.g. when you try to browse a video on youtube, it promptly asks you to install Gnash. Dell has been known to sell preinstalled Ubuntu computers for a while, and many of us may know, Ubuntu is not the OS fsf/binaryfreedom advocate as it contains non-free stuff. But since Dell already supports Ubuntu, wouldn't suggesting them to also provide hardware support to Gobuntu the next logical step? Please tell me what you think. I have requested for Gobuntu at the Dell Idea Storm web-site, if you like this idea, my request at their web page can use some votes: http://www.dellideastorm.com/article/show/74433/Support_Gobuntu_a_free_version_of_Ubuntu Thanks!! Sun.

List

Kayla Brett — 2007-10-14T17:16:46

-kayla- Sent from my T-Mobile Sidekick®

[BadVista Advocate] Commenting on the Black Screen of Death hoax

John Sullivan — 2007-09-19T12:43:48

It would be helpful to leave comments similar to the one below by Richard Stallman any place where you see a story about the "black screen of death" hoax that was recently propagated, with a link to badvista.org. I left one on the Wired blog story. If anyone wants to write up a short blog post about this and mail it to the list, we'd happily add it to badvista.org. The Microsoft "black screen of death" warning was a hoax. http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/09/microsoft-vista.html "Reduced Functionality Mode" does exist, and it does shut off the computer after an hour, but it does not render the computer totally unusable during that hour. Unauthorized copying exists too, but calling it "piracy" is propaganda, so please don't. What conclusion should we draw from this? The crucial fact is that Vista is designed for Microsoft to force updates on the user. Microsoft can do whatever it wishes to any computer that runs Vista, if it is on the Internet. Microsoft has not done what was described in the hoax, but it has grabbed so much power that it could do this (or anything else) to users at any time. That in itself is the real problem.

[BadVista Advocate] BadVista blog post

Joshua Gay — 2007-09-18T22:31:55

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[BadVista Advocate] Digg: Environmental and social justice groupsunite in support of free software

John Sullivan — 2007-08-29T18:58:43

http://digg.com/tech_news/Environmental_and_social_justice_groups_unite_in_support_of_free_software Environmental and social justice groups unite in support of free software Join the Green Party, New Internationalist, Friends of the Earth International, People and Planet, and the Free Software Foundation (FSF) in signing this statement calling on social activists and progressive organizations to join with them in rejecting Microsoft's Vista and to encourage instead adoption of free software. Sign in support now!

[BadVista Advocate] Javascript bookmarklet for suggesting stories?

John Sullivan — 2007-08-22T17:33:23

One thing I'd really like to do is make it easier for people to suggest stories that would be good for the Vista NewsWatch section of the site. What do people think about the idea of having a Javascript bookmarklet that people could install? The vague idea is that when a user clicks on it while viewing a new story, it would send the link to us. This could be done either through the user's local mail setup, or maybe through the contact form on badvista.org.. Does anyone reading have the chops to put this together? Or are there any other ideas for how we can make it easier for people to suggest stories?

[BadVista Advocate] Question about Vista's EULA

Timothy Musson — 2007-07-31T13:35:37

Hi, Here's Vista's EULA: http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Windows%20Vista_Ultimate_English_36d0fe99-75e4-4875-8153-889cf5105718.pdf I think that's the license for retail boxes of Vista. It begins with the following text: "By using the software, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, do not use the software. Instead, return it to the retailer for a refund or credit. If you cannot obtain a refund there, contact Microsoft or the Microsoft affiliate serving your country for information about Microsoft's refund policies. See www.microsoft.com/worldwide." Does anyone know if OEM versions (i.e., the Vista that comes pre-installed on laptops) include that piece of text? (In case it's relevant, I'm especially interested in Dell laptops and IBM ThinkPads.) So that was my question. In case you're interested, here's why I'm asking: I've decided to buy a laptop, but I have no intention of paying the "Microsoft tax". Unfortunately, where I live (New Zealand), it's impossible to buy a laptop without Windows pre-installed. So it looks like my only option is to buy the laptop, then fight to get a refund on Windows. After reading about the experiences of other people, here's what I'm thinking: 1) Let the retailer know I'm about to order a laptop, that I don't use or want Windows, and that I plan to ask for a refund as described in the EULA. 2) Switch the laptop on for the first time in the presence of a JP, and make a video or take photos, to verify that I don't agree to the EULA. Boot with a live CD and install GNU/Linux. 3) Ask the retailer for a refund on Windows - or, failing that, ask Microsoft for a refund on Windows. 4) Failing (3), try "Fair Go" (local 'consumer' advocacy TV programme) or small claims court. If anyone has advice/suggestions, it'd be very welcome :^) Thanks very much, Tim

[BadVista Advocate] Stop Vista in our Schools!

Ringo Kamens — 2007-07-30T23:25:37

Thanks for Christian for the heads up on this. The Department of Education is conducting a survey about technology in schools. Many of us have been trying to get free software in schools and running into block after block as to why they won't use it. For many people this block has been that the state/national Department of Education doesn't really support Free Software and won't support it. The same problems happen when we want our schools to use open formats. Please use this opportunity to give the department of education you thoughts on Vista, Free Software, DRM, and our children's future. http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/os/technology/roundtable.html In Solidarity, Comrade Ringo Kamens This posting was originally made to the Binary Freedom Announcements List for Binary Freedom Boston. For more information please visit http://www.binaryfreedom.info

[BadVista Advocate] [Fwd: [ifsa] Why not Windows?]

Matthew Flaschen — 2007-07-27T04:10:38

This looks like a good site that could serve as the single Linux site for newbies people were discussing. Matt Flaschen _______________________________________________ Advocate mailing list Advocate-oYdwhNDUXIVg9hUCZPvPmw< at >public.gmane.org http://badvista.fsf.org/mailman/listinfo/advocate

[BadVista Advocate] Newspick: Vista "phones home"

Michael Fötsch — 2007-07-01T20:19:08

Something for badvista.org: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Forget-about-the-WGA-20-Windows-Vista-Features-and-Services-Harvest-User-Data-for-Microsoft-58752.shtml

[BadVista Advocate] Linux for Newbies

member greenarrow1 — 2007-06-21T03:10:59

I just finished reading a interesting article about Linux and newbies. Rather then rendering the link and boring everyone with the whole writing I will iterate one area I felt was very true. I even did a internet search like the writer did and I was amazed of the lack of up to date tutorials for helping newbies find material or installing, or just using Linux. I mean I found some but they were not written for a newbie or they were so lackadasical I could not even understand them. Plus the fact they kept referring to computers with 128MB RAM and P2 computers, I found if I was a windows user I would think that Linux is old and no one with new computers use it. Why we keep stating this fact is beyond me since most window users now have at least P4 or better AMD computers with minimum of 526MB (most 1G now), better video and sound. Search led me to sites that were for Linux users to Linux users and not for newbies, written only for a knowledgeable Linux user, etc. I admit if I go through page after page I find information but this should be on the first page they search. Now if the user knew exactly what distro they wanted there was some information but for a user who did not know anything about Linux and wanting to learn the basics where they would understand what is written there is really not much available. A lot of the information I did find was very poorly designed, very out dated, and was detrimental in attracting a window user. Now do not start pointing me to links but show me where this info is that the person searching doesnt have to flip page after page to find it. A newbie is not going to do that and like was written in what I was reading I agree that if it is not on the first or second page the newbie is going to lose interest or if he read info that he does not understand he will leave also. We want people to switch but we are also not making it easy for them to find current and updated material. How many window users really even know how to search? They going to enter Linux, Linux Newbie, Linux tutorials. Seriously do the latter and then read what is there. Not very well written or it is dated material. Here we are updating Linux everywhere but no one is looking at tutorials for new users that a new user can read. We seem to have forgotten that a new user does not have the know how of developers and most window users have never had to install a operating system before. George greenarrow1 InNetInvestigations-Forensic SuSe 10.2/TriStar/Apache GoBoLinux

[BadVista Advocate] Gpl3 and Linspire

member greenarrow1 — 2007-06-18T04:28:19

I cannot figure out why Kevin from Linspire decided to partner up with Microsoft mainly because he was one of the biggest protesters about the Novell/MS deal. I am trying to figure out why he turned and was wondering, does he know something about Gpl3 I do not? The way I read the final draft Linspire would be doomed in the future for signing a deal with MS but after reading Kevin's remarks he does not think so. I also think this was a avenue where he could get big time advertisement for Linspire/Freespire as I see the media had this deal all over it. So does anyone know if there is a loop hole in the Gpl3? or, is this a deal that is going to back fire in Kevin's face? At one time I was a member of the Freespire development group but dropped out after realizing if was not proactive but rather closed to just the Linspire developers. I still receive their list emails because I want to see what they are doing which has dwindled to maybe a email every couple of weeks. To be honest I am looking for any information I can fire back at Kevin for making what I see as a disastrous mistake. I do not want to flame him but point out areas that are going to suffer because of this deal. George greenarrow1 InNetInvestigations-Forensic SuSe 10.2/TriStar/Apache GoBoLinux