I have seen MANY different Anti-Microsoft pages out there, some that I liked, and some that I didn't. I hope to make this one different in that I want to educate and inform the public. Not bash Bill. By profession, I am a teacher, and the reason I like being a teacher is I want to make people think. I have been to a lot of Anti-Bill/Microsoft sites. Many of these sites, and the people that participate in them, are just bashing Bill and MS and telling you (the reader) how bad MS's stuff is and how great Mac/Linux/Sun/etc. is. I do not want to bash you, I want to educate you. If I show you that facts, then you can make your own decision. If you make your own decision, based on your own needs and values, you will be a better person for it.

Page Directory
Introduction (this page)
How I feel about Microsoft (this page)
Links to other Anti-M$ sites (page 2)
Information about Microsoft (page 2)

NOTE: Remember that there is a difference between Windows and Microsoft. One is an operation software, the other is a corporation. I do make that distinction here.

I should probably clear the air a-little first. I have used/still use Windows 3.0 up to 98 SE. Fact is, this site has been almost exclusive written using programs that require Windows. (UPDATE: Although this site was created with Windows, it is now maintained by Linux.) I do not (for the most part) have a problem with Windows - just Bill and Microsoft. Don't get me wrong, I do have grips about Windows - bugs, crashes, secuity holes, etc. - but it is so incredibily easy to use. Although I consider myself a "power user", I have to admit that anything that is easy enough to get my Mother online is not a totally bad thing. The ease of using (and questionable marketing) Windows has made it the most popular OS in the world, but it has also made it troublesome for the "power user" to fix bugs, tweak, and trouble shoot on their own.

While looking at all of these sites I always want to know what kind of software the author uses. In fact, I know of one site where the author bashes Bill and MS left and right. He states that his page is written in standard text editor with HTML standards. Yet, when you view the source for his pages you will see that it was created using MS-Word, one of the biggest butchers of HTML standards I've ever seen. So I figure I should tell you right off the bat what I use. My main home computer and my work computer are both Win98's. (UPDATE: My main home computer is now Linux, my wife uses the Windows) I have three Win 3.1x and two Win95 that my students use. Also, my daughter uses a Win95 machine that I put together from scratch and I have an OLD 386 Compaq laptop that spends most of its time in DOS (5.0) but it does have Win 3.1. (UPDATE: The laptop has gone to my brother.)

Probably the main reason I (did) use Windows (almost solely) is compatability. I can do work anywhere; work, home, on the road, at the libary, etc. I hate the fact that my Win98's crash all the time, and the Win95's crash almost as often. I love the fact that my laptop (and my other Win 3.1 machines) never crash, but try playing RollerCoaster Tycoon on a 386!! At the same time, I have been trying out Linux on a computer at school (see my Linux page). Who knows, it may be great as everyone says. But as of right now, I won't be getting rid of my other machines anytime in the near future. (UPDATE: As noted above, I have given up my Windows to my wife, but I still us it to play RollerCoaster or AoK).

Now you may be asking yourself, how do I contribute to the cause if I have all of these Windows machines? First and formost, I try to keep my money out of Microsoft's hands. Yea, I have Windows everywhere, but all but one was bought second hand. I will not buy a MS product (hardware or software) until I feel that it has truly proven itself to be a GOOD product. I also have replaced many of the well-used Windows applets on my computer with freeware equivalents. (See my Freeware Links page) My second contrabution is this page. If you read this page, and decide to wipe your HD and install Linux, GREAT!! If you read this page and decide to keep Windows, GREAT!! I just want us all to have a choice, and part of making a choice is being educated.

1. Have you every tried to buy a program that does NOT require Windows? Although the internet is full of programs for DOS, OS/2, Linux, Unix, and a number of other Operating Systems, trying going to the store and getting a program for any other OS then Windows and Macs.
2. Have you every written a document in MS Word, or Excel, or any MS program and then had to use/print/edit it at another computer? Unless you where careful about saving, or the other computer has the exact same program, you have probably had some trouble. I dislike any kind of proprietary extensions. For a better explaination about proprietary extensions see Can't remember/find the page I read
3. Have you every wanted to buy a computer WITHOUT Windows? I know that this trend is changing, but as of now it is next to impossible. (UPDATE: There is a Windows Refund Project started, but they have had limited success)
4. Have you tried to get support for an MS product? This is probably one of my biggest grips. Let me list the problems:
   • First, I think that support for anything should be free. I have already paid for your product, I now need help using it. If you what free support from MS you usually have to get on the net. But what if you problem won't let you get onto the net?
   • I find something fundamentally wrong with an organizaiton who develops, produces and markets a product and then passes the support onto someone else. For example, if you what help with Windows, you usually have to go contact the vendor. That just seems wrong, do they not stand behind their product??
   • How about support for an older product? I am a school teacher who has a number of Windows 3.1 computers that I have resurrected. On occasions I needed some assistance with Windows, so I went "to the horses mouth" as it were. Going to the MS website was a waste of time. After spending hours navagating around, I found that they do not support Windows 3.1 anymore, even on the website. While working on the same computers, I had to contact a number of companies, by phone or by web, about outdated hardware. All of them were able to help, or at least point me in the correct direction.
5. How about a manual? When I buy a product I like to get a useful manual, when I got my Windows 98 machine I got a 6in by 8in, 120 page book with LOTS of white space. And worst of all, at least half of the book told me about all the improvements since older versions. Big deal - I already bought the software, you do not have to try and sell it to me again! To really use (and learn about) Windows I had to go out and by a $20+ book, search the web, subscribe to a number of mags, etc. Now I know that I am a different kind of user then most, but even my mother-in-law went out and bought a book. And she probably is a better example of the "typical" user.
6. How do you feel about stealing? What about bullies? You know that wonderful point-n-click feature of Windows, well MS stole it. How about all of those wonderful DOS programs (and the companies that produced them), where have those companies gone? MS has bullied anyone who did not support Windows right out of the market. links to other Anti-M$ sites for more)
7. What does the First Admendment say again? Just because I bought Windows, that does not mean I want Internet Explorer, or Outlook. Lets just say I do what IE, does that mean that I want links to all the sites that support MS (look at the Channels list sometime). I believe The Supreme Court has included freedom of choice in with freedom of speech.
8. Got anymore? I know I do, but that should be enough to at least get you thinking.

Now I know that the lawsuits against Bill and MS have addressed a number of these points, some have even been corrected. But the main reason any lawsuit works is if people express themselves. And that is why I still support the Anti-Microsoft campaign. I do not want to see MS removed from the planet, they have some great products. I just what to see the playing field leveled some. A Golith company like MS should still have to answer to the people that use their products.

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