danoschek: I am with you on that one, and always disable any updating, error reporting when i install MS Products. Unfortunately until we are offered other software that is:
a) as good as the MS Suite of products (inc OS)
b) as widely excepted and supported as MS
c) as functional and integrated as MS
we are pretty much stuck. Yes there are lots of other software companies providing good operating systems, good office suites and good management tools (server, web and pesonal) they are not all as easy to integrate into one system.
The BoyCott MS has lost much of its vigor that it had back in '97 and until we can ensure that more people join the campaign we are stuck with gates and his 'one sided' market.