"Banning proprietary upgrades and new programs This is a must. Microsoft upgrades have two purposes. One is obvious -- cash flow. The other purpose is to cut off your avenues of escape. Every version breaks compatibility with other software to which you might transition. When UCITA passes in Washington State, it will be illegal to reverse Microsoft software for the purpose of importing its data files. If you ban proprietary upgrades right now, there's an excellent chance you'll have a clear conversion path when the time comes. A huge issue is brewing with copy protection. I've heard a vague and unsubstantiated rumor of the existence of some modern proprietary software that requires a new "key" from the vendor each and every time you reinstall. According to this rumor, they charge significant amounts (like $35.00) to read you that key over the phone. Every app, $35.00 (or whatever) Get a virus? $35.00. Disk crash? $35.00. Windows meltdown? $35.00. Motherboard dies? $35.00. Windows registry got too big? $35.00. And in 5 years, do you think the vendor will be willing to sell you the key? Or will they force you to upgrade all those apps you use just to get at ancient data? And of course, those new versions might convert your data to a format not importable into any other software. All this is rumor, but my reading of the text of the UCITA proposed legislation tells me that it's all perfectly legal and enforceable under UCITA. The software vendor wouldn't really do this to their customers, would they? I don't know -- how do you think Microsoft would handle such a situation? Would you bet your business on it? You can't switch all your apps at once. You must continue to use your Windows box as an appliance to run a few apps. You need to be able to install and reinstall that appliance and those apps over and over again in years to come. Stop upgrading and buying proprietary apps today!" http://www.troubleshooters.com/tpromag/200104/200104.htm -- -- ----/ / _ Fred A. Miller ---/ / (_)__ __ ____ __ Systems Administrator --/ /__/ / _ \/ // /\ \/ / Cornell Univ. Press Services -/____/_/_//_/\_,_/ /_/\_\ fm@cupserv.org