Author: Thomas Dreher  
Posted: 11.11.2002; 21:52:40
Topic: Question 2
Msg #: 607 (in response to 418)
Enclosure:
Prev/Next: 606/608
Reads: 91206

To John and his answer 2/14:
I can´t doubt that I am a consumer of digital hardware. But it is undoubtable, too, that a difference exists in the strategies of Apple with Linux and Microsoft. Apple wants to produce computers for every kind of software, meanwhile Microsoft tries to force everyone into their strategies to bind hard- and software. If Microsoft wants to infiltrate your computer with viruses then you receive Outlook Express. The Linux strategy need a corporation like Apple to develop computers for every kind of use of informations meanwhile the Microsoft strategy begins with the hardware to restrict your possibilities (similar to CSS and DVD). Sorry, but I think it is too simple to frame both strategies with the term "the winning team" and a general critique of consumerism meanwhile the strategies of corporations and the consequences of them for the user are completely different.
If you want to discuss for example if african and poor asian contries need a digitalisation or if there are other preferences for a help in the urgent needs than I would argue there are other preferences. But if these countries need the net data flow for international organisations for logistics to receive food and if the data flow helps to inform a wider public about political developments then you have to argue again for hard- and software open for every kind of use and not limited by copyright strategies (similar to the copyright of AIDS medicine). And you need a data flow not restricted by political surveillance. To sketch the situation in sharp contrasts: Either deterritorialization, copyleft attitude and a free data flow or certain marketing strategies developed by corporations for some rich countries and restrictions of the data flow. I know, this can´t be detailled enough. But I hope you see the general line: It is fixed on pragmatics. Thomas Dreher (TDreher@onlinehome.de)

 



Last update: Wednesday, November 13, 2002 at 1:19:37 AM.
 

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