From: Adam Flinton 

Geo. wrote:
> "Thees Peereboom"  wrote in message
> news:oprpl9fcfh7q6jhl{at}news.barkto.com...
>
>
>>Just the idea of the 'activation' - what government would like the idea
>>that their machines could basically be switched off by a US company? It
>>seems rather clear to me that, in general perception, the US
>
> administration
>
>>would use this 'feature' in a hartbeat if it would serve their purpose.
>
>
> Have you noticed how none of the news about Linux being considered a
> replacement for NT have mentioned this, how every article seems to just be a
> matter of price or some "open" logic?
>
> Perhaps if the rest of the world was a bit more vocal about this nonsense,
> it would end. We have the same concern here, can't have some other business
> with their finger on an off switch for our company computers, even if it's
> an American company. The concern for us isn't anything to do with
> international affairs, it's simply bad business to allow another corporate
> entity to have that kind of control over your business. Especially in an
> economy where IT companies are going belly up every day..
>

BTW a sort of example:

http://searchenterpriselinux.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid39_gci9
02076,00.html

"Sucked in by advertising, Jameson C. Burt bought a proprietary
mathematical software application four years ago. This year, he discovered
that he couldn't move that program to new hardware without paying hefty
license fees. That's when Burt realized he'd made the wrong choice."

Adam

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