Re: Thousands wait in line for new Apple store - New linux store also opens (with photos)

"Marc " <RmEaMrOcVE@imarc.co.uk> wrote in message
news:AEFC58B0-3873-4E15-BFDA-505F5F46313E@microsoft.com...

> While I love Linux, and use it daily - it doesn't come accross as a
> hobbiest project sometimes. Yes it may never crash, but having to restart
> the Window Server because the Gnome control applet can't corectly detect
> your sound card it just as bad as a reboot for most people. I had to
> restart it when I entered an invalid WEP key too, pretty shoddy IMO.

One thing you need to know about Linux is it is like a shrink wrapped full
version of Ultimate. You can load it, but often you need to go to the
vendors site and get drivers and integrate them yourself. This is
unavoidable. But I will say, the last version of Ubuntu, I only needed one
driver to get Compiz running right and it was the easiest to date.

OEMs add this value to Microsoft Windows and Linux if they sell it. In
something like hot selling Eee PC this is already done for you.

> So I avoid Linux as a entertainment/mobile OS, saving it for my
> development machine. Netbeans and Eclipse are it's saving grace, along
> with Apache/Tomcat and the other severs.

That is a permier we development system.

> It's no competition to Mac, as it's a long long way from "just working" -
> and as far as competition for Windows goes, it's a tough challange to
> compete with Microsoft's ecosystem - .NET, ASP.NET, Acive Directory, SQL
> Server, Windows Server - they may not be cheap, but to most companies the
> licience fees are a small percentage of their profits, and cheaper than
> the extra training and staff required to run a Mac/*Nix network. Being
> "free" just isn't enough, why do people still buy Photoshop and Office
> when there's free alternitives?

Mac is high end. Something like Eee PC on the low end. MS is getting
squeezed.

There is the Microsoft API tred mill. Redevelop everything ever API
release/change. While backward compatibility exists to a large degree it
isn't absolute and makes the MS API one of the most complex error prone APIs
in existance. Businesses grossly underestimate these costs.

More people are using Open Office than ever before. MS-Office sales are
stagnent. OO Works great. Me, I have been using it for 3 years
exclusively. I only pull up Word 2000 to check that Word people can read
the output. Or I just export as PDF.

This isn't all or nothing. One can load FireFox and Open Office on XP/Vista
PCs. Leaves you in a great strategic position too.

Then when the MS rep comes on by let them inadvertanly see you have these
two apps running. Never know, they might slash the price of MS-Office in
half or less. I think in Taiwan the went to $20 seat. But to get those
deals you have to show you are willing to change.

> Don't get me wrong, I've been using Linux since Red Hat 5 (that box had
> 32Mb RAM!) and absolutely love it for what it is. What it's not however,
> it a mass market OS, and I can't see it ever being that while it's so
> fractured. Too many distributions, disagreements (see Fedora's refusal to
> bundle Firefox 2 because they didn't like it. That's not their choice!!)
> mean Windows will have the edge.

Fedora 9 ships with FireFox 3 beta 5, which don't mind the beta part, it is
stable. And it is true, FireFox 3 is ultra fast and very nice. Upgraded all
my systems to FireFox 3 already.

Those "disagreements" is evolution of FOSS at work. When enough people want
it different, it can fork or be changed. It does a couple of important
things. It prevents monopolies and WeSaySo behaviour. And it allows for
open evolution of the distribution. If you want to run or obtain FC 6 I am
sure it is out there, no one is going to say like XP as of June 30th you
can't download it because WeSaySo. If people want, it is there.

Since the kernel is shared, as are the sources, they can share the work
between the distributions focusing on their targets and mandates. For
example, Unbuntu versus Fedora. Newbees might want Unbuntu but those into
heavy development might want Fedora. If you write something on Fedora,
moving it to Ubuntu or Debian is usually as easy as 123.

This kind of distributed development model is going to survive and has grown
for over 30 years. It is by common evolution standardized. Linux has
amazing compatibilities between them, and with other environments like Macs
and UNIX. Even MS-Windows, where Microsoft hasn't spiked to road to bad.

"Moshe Goldfarb" <brick.n.straw@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b2d9vo5cxx6f$.1xlkdy7kuwm8$.dlg@40tude.net...

>> LOL. Let the MS fan boys pay big bucks for MS-Office.
>>
>> I always thought the M$ price for it was extortion in the age of
>> commodity
>> software. Especially when in places like Asia it sells for 1/10 the
>> cost.
>> But OO is free as in beer.
>
> Maybe it does.
> Maybe it does not.
>
> The facts show that Open Office is on life support, much like Linux.
> IOW virtually nobody is using it on the desktop.

Funny. I make big points with acquaintances and relatives when they ask,
which Office package should they buy. With 15 MS-Office varieties out there
it is a hard choice. Sales people always like selling the $600+ Ultimate
2007 versions.

I say, save your money, buy me a beer later if you like this option. Go to
http://www.openoffice.org/ and download and install it. Try it for a week,
a month or however long you want. If you like then you just saved a bundle.
Actually had a case of beer dropped off in one case.

In the local store, a full retail version of MS Office Ultimate 2007 Retail
DVD is $850... stupid to pay that much. Bet most go for the stripped down
sub-version of it, Home and student OEM for $130. Still, with Open Office
there are no "stripped" sub-par users.

"Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
> dennis@home wrote:
>>
>>
>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>
>>
>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a computer
>>> with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the computer costs 50
>>> euros less.
>>>
>>> Alias
>>
>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>
> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I was
> talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>
> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>
> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>
> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>
> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>
> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>
> Alias

OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw $1.493,78
for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full version of Vista
Ultimate and Office Ultimate....

At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office Ultimate
retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is $270. $660,
less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or Frank will justify this.

Must make you mad as hell. In Canada they do the same tricks too but
usually at only a 30-40% premium. But I always wait until a trip to the US
comes by to buy anything computer book/software related. We have a couple
of good electronics places, but M$ prices are more than the US. But mobos
and memory are about the same price. Got 8GB (4 x 2GB) of higher speed
memory 2 months ago for $180.

Microsoft pricing games. Going to catch up to them.

The best answer is to help your friends load Ubuntu or Fedora with Open
Office. Screw M$ pricing.

Canuck57 wrote:
> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>
>>dennis@home wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a computer
>>>>with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the computer costs 50
>>>>euros less.
>>>>
>>>>Alias
>>>
>>>Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>
>>Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I was
>>talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>>
>>To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>
>>http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>
>>And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>
>>http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>
>>They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>
>>Alias
>
>
> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw $1.493,78
> for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full version of Vista
> Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>
> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office Ultimate
> retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is $270. $660,
> less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or Frank will justify this.

You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
>
> Must make you mad as hell. In Canada they do the same tricks too but
> usually at only a 30-40% premium. But I always wait until a trip to the US
> comes by to buy anything computer book/software related. We have a couple
> of good electronics places, but M$ prices are more than the US. But mobos
> and memory are about the same price. Got 8GB (4 x 2GB) of higher speed
> memory 2 months ago for $180.
>
> Microsoft pricing games. Going to catch up to them.
>
> The best answer is to help your friends load Ubuntu or Fedora with Open
> Office. Screw M$ pricing.
>
Today, Fry's has the Windows Vista Ultimate (full-upgrade) $169.99USD.
Frank

Frank wrote:
> Canuck57 wrote:
>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>>
>>> dennis@home wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a
>>>>> computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the
>>>>> computer costs 50 euros less.
>>>>>
>>>>> Alias
>>>>
>>>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>>
>>> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I
>>> was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>>>
>>> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>>
>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>>
>>>
>>> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>>
>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>>
>>>
>>> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>>
>>> Alias
>>
>>
>> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw
>> $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full
>> version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>>
>> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office
>> Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is
>> $270. $660, less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or Frank
>> will justify this.
>
> You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
> Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
You are the idiot. MS controls the suggested retail price. Do in
essence they do control the rough price.
>>
>> Must make you mad as hell. In Canada they do the same tricks too but
>> usually at only a 30-40% premium. But I always wait until a trip to
>> the US comes by to buy anything computer book/software related. We
>> have a couple of good electronics places, but M$ prices are more than
>> the US. But mobos and memory are about the same price. Got 8GB (4 x
>> 2GB) of higher speed memory 2 months ago for $180.
>>
>> Microsoft pricing games. Going to catch up to them.
>>
>> The best answer is to help your friends load Ubuntu or Fedora with
>> Open Office. Screw M$ pricing.
> Today, Fry's has the Windows Vista Ultimate (full-upgrade) $169.99USD.
> Frank

measekite wrote:
>
>
> Frank wrote:
>> Canuck57 wrote:
>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>>>
>>>> dennis@home wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a
>>>>>> computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the
>>>>>> computer costs 50 euros less.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>
>>>>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>>>
>>>> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I
>>>> was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>>>>
>>>> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>>>
>>>> Alias
>>>
>>>
>>> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw
>>> $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full
>>> version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>>>
>>> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office
>>> Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is
>>> $270. $660, less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or Frank
>>> will justify this.
>>
>> You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
>> Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
> You are the idiot. MS controls the suggested retail price. Do in
> essence they do control the rough price.

You're right and I tried to explain this to Frank the Wank but he's too
logic impaired to understand.

Alias

Alias wrote:
> measekite wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Frank wrote:
>>
>>> Canuck57 wrote:
>>>
>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>>>>
>>>>> dennis@home wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a
>>>>>>> computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the
>>>>>>> computer costs 50 euros less.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that
>>>>> I was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>>>>>
>>>>> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>>>>
>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>>>>
>>>>> Alias
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw
>>>> $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full
>>>> version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>>>>
>>>> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office
>>>> Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is
>>>> $270. $660, less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or
>>>> Frank will justify this.
>>>
>>>
>>> You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
>>> Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
>>
>> You are the idiot. MS controls the suggested retail price. Do in
>> essence they do control the rough price.
>
>
> You're right and I tried to explain this to Frank the Wank but he's too
> logic impaired to understand.
>
> Alias

No, you're both wrong. You and meashershithead are both logic and
intelligence impaired. Having a "suggested" retail price does not in any
way "control' the actual retail price.
The retailer's ultimately set their own retail price and MS can't do
anything about it.
Period!
Live with it!
Sorry, but it's obvious that neither one of you lying linux clowns knows
anything at all about retailing.
The two of you atheist need to get a life.
Frank

Frank wrote:
> Alias wrote:
>> measekite wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Frank wrote:
>>>
>>>> Canuck57 wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>>>>>
>>>>>> dennis@home wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a
>>>>>>>> computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the
>>>>>>>> computer costs 50 euros less.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall
>>>>>> that I was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista
>>>>>> preinstalled.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw
>>>>> $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full
>>>>> version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>>>>>
>>>>> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for
>>>>> MS-Office Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32
>>>>> and 64 bit is $270. $660, less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see
>>>>> how a MVP or Frank will justify this.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail
>>>> price.
>>>> Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
>>>
>>> You are the idiot. MS controls the suggested retail price. Do in
>>> essence they do control the rough price.
>>
>>
>> You're right and I tried to explain this to* Frank the Wank *but he's
>> too logic impaired to understand.
>>
>> Alias
I love it! ha ha ha ha BTL!
>
> No, you're both wrong. You and meashershithead are both logic and
> intelligence impaired. Having a "suggested" retail price does not in
> any way "control' the actual retail price.
> The retailer's ultimately set their own retail price and MS can't do
> anything about it.
> Period!
> Live with it!
> Sorry, but it's obvious that neither one of you lying linux clowns
> knows anything at all about retailing.
> The two of you atheist need to get a life.
> Frank

Frank wrote: Alias wrote:
measekite wrote:



Frank wrote:

Canuck57 wrote:

"Alias" &lt;iamalias@nukethisgmail.com&gt; wrote in message news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...

dennis@home wrote:


"Alias" &lt;iamalias@nukethisgmail.com&gt; wrote in message news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...



A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the computer costs 50 euros less.

Alias


Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?


Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.

To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:

http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055

And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:

http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760

They've even put the price in US dollars for you.

Alias



OMG, you are kidding.&nbsp; I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....

At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is $270.&nbsp; $660, less than 1/3rd your price.&nbsp; Lets see how a MVP or Frank will justify this.


You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.

You are the idiot.&nbsp; MS controls the suggested retail price.&nbsp; Do in essence they do control the rough price.


You're right and I tried to explain this to Frank the Wank but he's too logic impaired to understand.

Alias
Oh Yeah.&nbsp; Is that cool!

No, you're both wrong. You and meashershithead are both logic and intelligence impaired. Having a "suggested" retail price does not in any way "control' the actual retail price.
The retailer's ultimately set their own retail price and MS can't do anything about it.
Period!
Live with it!
Sorry, but it's obvious that neither one of you lying linux clowns knows anything at all about retailing.
The two of you atheist need to get a life.
Frank

"Frank" <fb@sto.clm> wrote in message
news:482f5e97$0$5717$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> Alias wrote:
>> measekite wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Frank wrote:
>>>
>>>> Canuck57 wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:g0mtl3$ft$1@aioe.org...
>>>>>
>>>>>> dennis@home wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> "Alias" <iamalias@nukethisgmail.com> wrote in message
>>>>>>> news:g0mrto$pbh$2@aioe.org...
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> A national computer store chain here in Spain will sell you a
>>>>>>>> computer with Vista, XP or Ubuntu. If you opt for Ubuntu, the
>>>>>>>> computer costs 50 euros less.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Didn't you say vista was hundreds of Euros there?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yes, but if your memory had served you well, you would recall that I
>>>>>> was talking about Retail, not a computer with Vista preinstalled.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> To give you an idea of retail prices here, see:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610744055
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And retail Office 2007 Ultimate:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> http://www.elcorteingles.es/informat...ia=28610737760
>>>>>>
>>>>>> They've even put the price in US dollars for you.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Alias
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> OMG, you are kidding. I almost hit the floor laughing when I saw
>>>>> $1.493,78 for Office 2007 full version. So it is $2000 for a full
>>>>> version of Vista Ultimate and Office Ultimate....
>>>>>
>>>>> At MWave in the US, a place I used to shop it is $399 for MS-Office
>>>>> Ultimate retail and Vista Ultimate retail with both 32 and 64 bit is
>>>>> $270. $660, less than 1/3rd your price. Lets see how a MVP or Frank
>>>>> will justify this.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You're an idiot (as we all know). MS does not control the retail price.
>>>> Sorry! Blame the retail outlet.
>>>
>>> You are the idiot. MS controls the suggested retail price. Do in
>>> essence they do control the rough price.
>>
>>
>> You're right and I tried to explain this to Frank the Wank but he's too
>> logic impaired to understand.
>>
>> Alias
>
> No, you're both wrong. You and meashershithead are both logic and
> intelligence impaired. Having a "suggested" retail price does not in any
> way "control' the actual retail price.
> The retailer's ultimately set their own retail price and MS can't do
> anything about it.
> Period!
> Live with it!
> Sorry, but it's obvious that neither one of you lying linux clowns knows
> anything at all about retailing.
> The two of you atheist need to get a life.
> Frank

And Microshaft Corporation does not put suggested retail prices on it's
products like HP, Dell, Lenovo, Aspire, Daewoo, Samsung and a host of
others. The reason is simple, price fixing. It is supposed to be illegal
to sell to different groups of people based on race, country and company of
origin etc. But a routine business practice of Microsoft. I must admit, I
did like Taiwan government pricing.

More cover up BS from the MS-FUND, oops MS-FUD machines. Microsoft does not
care about customers, make a buck and extort market share. Nothing else too
it. Forgive those who don't ride Microsoft to the bottom.