On Thu, 11 May 2006, Robin Laing wrote: > Les Mikesell wrote: > > On Thu, 2006-05-11 at 10:50, Robin Laing wrote: > > > > > >>The point is how many people actually read and understand the EULA. I > >>wonder how many people realize the rights that they hand to MS when they > >>click on the agree or install their latest version of XP. > >> > >>This is an interesting question as this was posted just a few days ago. > >> http://linuxadvocate.org/articles.php?p=1 > >> > >>You cannot even boot a new computer without agreeing to the EULA. The > >>service tech may do it in advance and you, as a user may never see it. > >> It has happened to me. > > > > > > Yes it would be a big boost to open source if companies treated > > EULAs like other contracts and waited for their legal departments > > to scrutinize and approve them before hitting that 'accept' > > key on every install and update. > > > > Whoa, don't give the lawyers an idea on how to make more money. Just > think about it. Your legal department all of a sudden decides that you > cannot install any software without one of their staff reading and > discussing the implications of the EULA and deciding if it is safe for > the company to use. > > On the other hand, if the lawyers get involved, there may be a good > reason not to purchase Windows or pre-installed systems. Lawyers have a > good way of taking things way out of context. Just the added expense of having legal go over and review the EULA for each and every security patch would be sufficient financial incentive to switch entirely to gnu & bsd type licenses for everything. At least those don't change at the drop of a hat on a windy day. YMMV of course -- ============================================= If you think Education is expensive Try Ignorance Author Unknown ============================================