09.04.11
Windows is Not a Choice
Summary: The scandal in Tamil Nadu is met with a weak defence from the culprits
WHAT sure seems like federal corruption in Tamil Nadu led to the forcing of Windows. All new computers will need to have Microsoft Windows paid for, even if the user chooses to run GNU/Linux. Watch the dodgy official resorting to damage control. They even use Microsoft talking points. This one says that “the freedom of the students to choose the operating system of their choice is encouraged.” Freedom of “choice” is the Microsoft spin, which misses the point that they still have to pay for Windows whether they want to or not and Windows is not freedom, it’s being subjugated to a monopoly abuser from abroad. Let them lie. They are used to it. Indians should not let this one slip aside because this is part of a pattern, as we covered in posts such as:
- Microsoft’s EDGI in India: Fighting GNU/Linux in Education
- Microsoft’s Expansions in India and EDGI in India Lead to Call for a Boycott
- India Moves to Free Software, So Microsoft Fights Back with Gentle Bribes and Partners
Windows respects “freedom of the students to choose the operating system” like someone who boards the plane has the freedom to refuse the full-body X-Ray scanners in Manchester Airport, in which case the passenger is refused access to any departing flight. It’s the mere illusion of choice. The picture below is censored by the way, but this is what every single passenger in Manchester is required to give the government in exchange for plane access these days, never mind the catastrophic effects of cancer (risking more lives and in the long term causing more deaths than all airplane terrorism combined). █
Michael said,
September 4, 2011 at 2:50 pm
Your “evidence” is to link to your own site. Poor form.
Looking elsewhere I see that the Tamil Nadu Government has opted to purchase computers with Windows on them.
So?