3 ms·

> their citizens revolt at not being able to buy Windows or Office. The UK will probably allow those to be sold. If MS refuse to sell them, the politicians wi

> their citizens revolt at not being able to buy Windows or Office. The UK will probably allow those to be sold. If MS refuse to sell them, the politicians will just spin it as Microsoft vs the UK and get everyone worked up over “sovereignty”. Maybe even fund and promote a standardised Linux Desktop distribution to replace Windows … which has a chance to spread in popularity worldwide. Either way, Microsoft might be jeopardising future sales of its products in the UK by going on the offensive. It might also make other countries’ governments warily of the company and impacting sales in those countries too. It would leaves the market wide open for their competitors to claim without any resistance from Microsoft as well.

runako 3y ago
> The UK will probably allow those to be sold. Fair! Playing it out...if the UK allowed Microsoft products to be sold, but not products from the gaming division, that also might cause consumer unrest. Other than fines and/or preventing sales, there aren't all that many sanctions available to regulators in a situation like this. > Maybe even fund and promote a standardised Linux Desktop distribution to replace Windows I'm old enough to have gone all-in on Microsoft alternatives around the turn of the century. European countries have been pushing initiatives like this for decades without meaningful results. Maybe this time it would work? > It also leaves the market wide open for their competitors to claim without resistance from Microsoft. This could be good overall for the long term of the software ecosystem, although the sudden transition would be detrimental for UK citizens in the near-to-medium term.
- worrycue 3y ago
  > but not products from the gaming division, that also might cause consumer unrest Some people will complain. Others will just buy a PlayStation. Sony can even "sweeten the deal" by giving discounts on the console and maybe talk publishers into allow people to swap their Xbox copy of a game for the PS version for maybe a small fee, and come off looking like a hero. Basically if the Xbox gets banned in the UK. It's pretty much free real estate for Sony and Nintendo to move in. > I'm old enough to have gone all-in on Microsoft alternatives around the turn of the century. European countries have been pushing initiatives like this for decades without meaningful results. Maybe this time it would work? Frankly, no one has really made a focus effort to replace Windows. It's more trouble than it's worth. But if MS declares war on the UK and Windows is out of the picture ... and once the ball gets rolling and should a standardized Linux Desktop get critical mass, there is a chance it can become an viable competitor to Windows worldwide.

runako 3y ago

> The UK will probably allow those to be sold. Fair! Playing it out...if the UK allowed Microsoft products to be sold, but not products from the gaming division, that also might cause consumer unrest. Other than fines and/or preventing sales, there aren't all that many sanctions available to regulators in a situation like this. > Maybe even fund and promote a standardised Linux Desktop distribution to replace Windows I'm old enough to have gone all-in on Microsoft alternatives around the turn of the century. European countries have been pushing initiatives like this for decades without meaningful results. Maybe this time it would work? > It also leaves the market wide open for their competitors to claim without resistance from Microsoft. This could be good overall for the long term of the software ecosystem, although the sudden transition would be detrimental for UK citizens in the near-to-medium term.

worrycue 3y ago
> but not products from the gaming division, that also might cause consumer unrest Some people will complain. Others will just buy a PlayStation. Sony can even "sweeten the deal" by giving discounts on the console and maybe talk publishers into allow people to swap their Xbox copy of a game for the PS version for maybe a small fee, and come off looking like a hero. Basically if the Xbox gets banned in the UK. It's pretty much free real estate for Sony and Nintendo to move in. > I'm old enough to have gone all-in on Microsoft alternatives around the turn of the century. European countries have been pushing initiatives like this for decades without meaningful results. Maybe this time it would work? Frankly, no one has really made a focus effort to replace Windows. It's more trouble than it's worth. But if MS declares war on the UK and Windows is out of the picture ... and once the ball gets rolling and should a standardized Linux Desktop get critical mass, there is a chance it can become an viable competitor to Windows worldwide.