Indian State Encourages Microsoft Removal

cultrhetor writes "The New York Times reports that the communist government in the Indian state of Kerala is trying to remove Microsoft from its public institutions, as part of a campaign against monopolistic corporations. From the article: 'schools and public offices across the state are being encouraged to install free software systems instead of purchasing Microsoft's Windows programs. "It is well-known that Microsoft wants to have a monopoly in the field of computer technology. Naturally, being a democratic and progressive government, we want to encourage the spread of free software," M. A. Baby, the state's education minister, said by telephone.' The government is not banning Microsoft, but it is actively encouraging all 12,500 public schools in the state to install Linux."

Comments

This actually proves that MS is NOT a monopoly

[I'm Don Giovanni]

I find it amusing when someone (a state, person, business), says, "We hate Microsoft because they're a monopoly, so I'm going to use other products!! Stickin' it to the MAN. Oh Yeaaaah!!" The irony is that the ability to use other products disproves that MS is a monopoly.

How can a state claim that they're fighting against a monopoly by using other products? That a state *can* move entirely to other products proves that there is no monopoly to begin with.

How about using other products because they're "better" (more value for the buck, better support, etc) rather than for some political agenda? If the non-MS software is "better", then great, use it on that basis. But if the MS products are actually "better", but not being used for the sake of a political agenda, then this state is screwing over its citizens by making them take part in the anti-MS jihad that most of them likely couldn't care less about.