Date: Fri, 5 May 2000 22:15:00 -0400
To: [address omitted]
From: Cameron Barrett
Subject: Re: Linux/Mozzie/Win2000/Alpha and Zealots. 

Points well taken, [name omitted]. Please read my rebuttal to your points as
provided below:

> I can only take so much "Mozilla will rule the world" (umm yeah?) and
> Microsoft bashing commentary, please enough is enough.  Your friend, rather
> less eloquently pointed out what I'm sure many of your readers are thinking
> (well the ones capable of individual thought anyway).

It is very clear to my readers that I do not like Microsoft or their
software. This is my opinion and I am free to voice it as often as I wish,
wherever I wish. Should my readers wish to hear a different opinion, they
are entirely welcome to go elsewhere.

> Your opinions have definitely shifted since joining your buddies at
> Alphanumerica.  I can't help but think you've being somewhat influenced by
> them.  Your claims about inferiority of software in comparison to Mozilla
> are totally baseless and completely un-backable.

And if I were to go work at Microsoft, I'm sure my opinions would shift as
well. Or Apple, or Red Hat. Or any company for that matter. When I worked
at Borders.com, I hated Amazon.com but admired them tremendously as well
for their achievements. The same can be said for my opinions about
Microsoft. They make some amazing software that I use daily, but only on
the Macintosh platform, as it tends to be less buggy and much more secure.
To be influenced by my co-workers is a natural career evolution.

> Your claims about operating systems are equally unbackable, you do not have
> a computer science degree with a major in operating systems or an in-depth
> understanding of operating systems research and therefore cannot fathom
> what's going on under the covers in any OS, let alone the good ones.  Linux
> is not the answer either; do you think the world has stopped working on new
> operating systems?  Of course not, not all universities are
> Linux/BSD/Solaris zealots, many university research departments are working
> on next generation operating systems that will soon take the place of both
> Windows and Linux.

You are correct that I do not have a CS degree, but that doesn't make me
ignorant. I have years of experience using Macs, Windows PCs, and even
Linux machines. I know how they work, and know how people use and abuse
them. I also know some of the advantages and disadvantages of using a
particular OS platform over another. I'm well aware that people are
continually working on operating systems for the future of computers,
personal digital assistants, and the information appliances that will
dominate our lives in the next decade or two.

> You're working on FUD, pure and simple.
>
> There is no uncertainty in Microsoft's immediate future, they still make
> great software (Office etc), attract some of the best programmers in the
> world, and really know how to manage a software project.  I would like to
> see ANY other company undertake a development project like Win2000, hell
> some companies can't even ship a browser (sorry low blow). 

These are all good points. There's a good reason it is taking Netscape and
the Mozilla group years to develop the next-generation web browser. They
threw away _all_ of the old code and started from scratch. You just can't
do that in software development without taking a huge hit on your timeline. 
Remember also that Bill Gates does not have a CS degree.

> And no I'm definitely not a Microsoft Zealot.  Agreed, not everything
> Microsoft have done over the years has been nice, but how many of their
> competitors play by the rules as well?  Microsoft got caught, while
> thousands of other firms who engage in similar practices within their market
> niches go on unpunished.  Microsoft built a monopoly (or rather the Monopoly
> fell in their laps), if you were Bill and friends in their situation would
> you behaved any differently? Business is war, with an open give it all away
> free attitude, you'll loose.

Since you read my site often, you might remember me saying that I no longer
care what happens to Microsoft. I'm of the strong belief that the market
will take care of Microsoft in the end, even if the U.S. government had to
give it a push by taking Microsoft down a notch. In my mind, I can see
Microsoft continuing to excel at everything they do. Like many of its
critics I only care that they play by the rules.

> It amuses me to see the US government attack one of its strongest companies;
> after all, a country's strength comes from its economy and businesses.

The U.S. economy will do fine with or without Microsoft. I have faith that
Wall Street will look at the hundreds and thousands of companies currently
in Microsoft's shadow and see that there is some very innovative and
creative work going on that until now was being snuffed out by Microsoft's
unethical and illegal business activities.

> Nothing personal Cam, but the Mozilla stuff is getting a bit long in the
> tooth, when I see a release of it my tune to Mozzie may change, but 2.3
> years later and I'm a bit tired of waiting.  Disparaging remarks about users
> of IE5.01 and Win2000 are truly bizarre and not what I had expected from
> you, I had thought you were above all that, but I guess not.

You're right, it's not personal. I am a huge fan of Mozilla, not as a
browser, but as an application framework. It's a whole new way of looking
at the web and the Internet. With Mozilla, developers finally have a choice
and are not locked into the technologies that Microsoft decides to let them
develop on top of. Didn't you ever notice that the majority of web
applications built using the IE 4.x/5/x framework are quite limited in
their scope? Those limitations are deliberately put in place by Microsoft
in order to keep their lock on the browser market. Microsoft is famous for
these types of tactics. They did it with Windows, and anyone would be crazy
to think that they wouldn't also do it once they've secured a monopoly in
web browsers.

> I guess you're entitled to you own opinions, but try to make them sound a
> little more like your own and a little less like those of your Mozilla/Linux
> zealot friends at Alpha and other generally available FUD served up by
> anti-Microsoft drones.  I can get this standard of commentary off CNET.

Thes opinions are my own. I'm the first to admit that my opinions are
influenced by those around me and by the people I communicate with.

> Someone you visit often.

No, not really. I stopped reading your site a while back and recently
removed it from my list. My interests and readings on the web have changed
dramatically with my new job, and you are not the only person to notice.
There are numerous sites I wish I could keep reading, but my time and
interests no longer permit me to do so.

Frankly, I'm disappointed that you felt you had to hide behind a Hotmail
account in order to communicate with me. I thought you were above such
petty finger pointing and juvenile tactics, but I guess not.

I'm considering publishing this exchange on CamWorld, but would like to ask
your permission first. If you don't want me to I will respect your wishes.
The other option is fo me to publish it with your name and references
removed. Either way, please let me know what you decide.

Thanks,

Cameron Barrett
http://www.camworld.com/