| From: | Jonathan Hurley <jhurley1@************.EDU> |
|---|---|
| Subject: | Re: [OT] Euro question |
| Date: | Fri, 1 May 1998 10:20:46 -0400 |
[NCR][SMTP:James.Ojaste@**.GC.CA] wrote:
> The megas would never let Linux get to the point where it is now.
> They'd nip it in the bud - "Hey, I hear XX has developed a new OS
> with some possibility of promise! If we can't have it, no one can."
>
> Memes are beside the point - most people would never know about the
> OS, and those that did wouldn't be able to do much. If they develop
> in secret (very difficult, unless you're the only one working on it,
> and you're not connected to the net), then it's no threat. If they
> then release it simultaneously everywhere, Mega #1 ties things up
> legally while Mega #2 writes virii to combat the OS directly, while
> Mega #3 kills the author(s) to discourage further development.
Eh? Megacorps don't co-operate. They might do this kind of thing =
independently (each trying to kill this thing) but I'm not sure they'd =
manage to do it simultaneously. Besides, even in Shadowrun, there are =
plenty of independent outfits with no ties at all to the megacorporate =
community members. It's just plain innefficient to stamp out =
*everything* that isn't Big 8. Much cheaper to co-opt it it it becomes =
popular. Ever hear of an economic term called 'opportunity cost'? =
Basically, compare the costs of what you want to do to the profits =
gained.
In short, I don't think the megacorps are going to do much more at the =
beginning of the lifecycle of a product like this to stop it, because =
they can't make decisions fast enough, and by the time they'd see =
'Linux' (or any other nifty grassroots product)as a threat, it will be =
established in the market niche. At this point, corporate FUD (fear, =
uncertainty, doubt) tactics can keep the damage minimal, and the corps =
are running FUD tactics ANYWAY against other corps.
Why send a special ops team when you are already paying your advertizing =
firm?
--
Quicksilver rides again
--------------
Those who would give up a little freedom for security
deserve neither freedom nor security
-Benjamin Franklin
Yeah, I have Attention Deficit Dis - Hey, look at that butterfly!
Jonathan Hurley (mailto:jhurley1@************.edu)
