[Leaplist] MS Office vs. OpenOffice -- My "Ethic" ...

[Bryan J. Smith]

Chris wrote:
> Gotta chime in. Strangely enough, on Bryan's side (I'm sure
> he'll get over it ;-) ...

Bar none, I am the biggest asshole at times on this list, and I
wouldn't associate yourself with me for that reason.  I'm sure working
90 hour/weeks is part of the reason you're seeing it now more than
ever as I'm lacking sleep, so some of my e-mail ettique goes out the
window and the "raw e-mail BS" comes out.

There are some pet peeves that really piss me off, and people blaming
the "community" for their vendor lock-in choices is one of them.
That's my "ethic."  It seems mean, cruel and otherwise hurtful, but
there is a "method to the madness."

I will *NEVER* "guilt" someone for choosing Microsoft.  *NEVER*!  In
fact, I get on people who demonize Microsoft.  I am a Microsoft
professional, and that means everytime I have a legitimate complaint,
I'm drowned out by the "ABM" people just spewing rhetoric.  I have the
same problem with people on politics -- make an argument, convince me,
don't try to seem "witty" with an 1-liner insult of some politician or
demonization.

That includes the whole DOJ v. Microsoft trial.  A whole bunch of
"cry-baby" OEMs and "partners" who shot themselves in the foot when
Microsoft not only took them to lunch but paid them for coming.  "Oh,
save me because I can't use anything else" -- or worse yet -- "I don't
use MS, but I use this other [uber-proprietary] solution."

Once someone starts down that path with "oh, I can't" they quickly
lead into blaming *OTHERS* for *THEIR*OWN* choices.  That really chaps
me -- *BAD*.

People have to eat, so don't feel you need to explain yourself.  But
the second you give me, "I don't have a choice, because there's no
solution, and Linux won't be adopted until it solves this for me, this
vendor-tied issue that I pay money for but complain about why Linux
sucks and isn't being adopted" non-sense -- yeah, best not to catch me
when I haven't slept.  ;->

My sincerest apologies to the list, even though I'm sure it won't be
the last time I do this.  Always willing to accept any banning,
punishment, etc... for doing it too.  Because I'm 100% responsible for
what I say and do.

I'll now "STFU."  ;->