Goodbye Microsoft, Hello AOL and Itnel.

[Cyrax9]

OK, this is probably just a normal pyramid scheme, and I normally wouldn't even have opened it, but since it was from my uncle I figured I'd take a look.

The letter was from someone who claimed to be a lawyer, complte with a phone number and buisiness address attached.

The gist of the E-mail was this, AOL and Intel are trying to partner up, but to do so they need some "Lab Rats", that's us, to beta test there software. A bunch of angry AOL users decided to make them pay, literally, if you forward this E-mail, on a Windows PC, Microsoft, Intel, and AOL will send you a $15.00 check for each address.


Now obviously, I'm NOT buying anything that says MICROSOFT, AOL OR Intel are going to pay ME, why would they do that, we know M$ track record, and AOL's is starting to stick out too. As for Intel, they're making proccessors, not giving away free handouts.

What does concern me though, is that a Rumor mixed in this Pyramid scheme about AOL Time Warner, and Intel trying to partner up to be the "largest Computer Company", could have some truth in it. If so, does that mean M$ will become the small system similar to the Mac in the early 1990's?

Don't get me wrong, I want M$ out of here ASAP, but I don't want the next Corprate idiot in line to take over where they left off. If any of this letter was true, I'd think it would be the part about AOL Time Warner trying to strikea deal with Intel, if this happens, we may not be as angry at M$ as we will be at AOL.

Also, Pika, Could this mean the end of an AOL and Linux Partnership? I hope not.

Iwould have posted the letter here, but I deleted it after I read it, I know, it was stupid.

[gekko]

AOL is teaming up with everyone. No big deal. Intel is teaming up to say "Your software runs best on our processor" to compete with AMD, who is winning hearts by proving to be a quality processor.

[jshrimp3]

how could AOL and Intel boot out Microsoft? AOL makes an ISP, and a chat client. Intel makes processors. how can internet-related and processor companies boot out a software and OS company? that's like saying that Rare and Activision are gonna boot out Nintendo. they're in a similar line of business(computers) but within that they're different.

[Revival]

I say we all go buy Macs :D

[Ric]

You do know AOL is actually owned in part and or affiliated with Microsoft, not many people seem to know that. Part of the reason I signed up with freeserve's ISP really.

[Cyrax9]

That explaions it. AOL spreads like M$, and now I find out they're patially affiliated. That's it, my next Comp has to either be a Mac or a Linux system, and AOL will be the Only thing on it related to Microsoft, with the exception of some muliti-platform games. Now I see why M$ controls my computer, I'm forces into using outlook express for my cable modem, which is a peice of Crap, and as much as I like certain Parts of AOL I'm starting to hate the fact that in two years earth will consist of Water and recycled AOL CD's. They need recycling centers just for the 50 million AOL CD's a person gets in a month. They do make good coster's and Frisbees though. I've got an idea, duckhunt style lay-shooting with AOL CD's instead of Ducks.

[sdtPikachu]

Sorry to disappoint you Cyrax, but it sounds like a load of old horse**** to me.

"AOL and Intel are trying to partner up, but to do so they need some "Lab Rats", that's us, to beta test there software"

Since when did Intel make software? Since when did AOL make software worth using?

"AOL Time Warner, and Intel trying to partner up to be the "largest Computer Company" "

Ain't gonna happen. I'd like to see an OS that AOL turned out. A ha ha. AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAAAA! Ah, the thought brings a merry tear to my eyes.

Like gekko and jshrimp say, Intel just make processors, mainly of th x86 variety (and not even the best variety - go Athlon!). AOL just make a crappy ISP and bloatware to plug onto it - namely the IE shell extensions that convert IE to "My AOL" or whatever the f**k it's called, and their ****ey chat client. Yes, AOL have acquired ICQ and Netscape, but I still think they're a fair way from making their own OS, office and server apps, no? Especiallly seeing that no-one who works for them can code for toffee.

"Also, Pika, Could this mean the end of an AOL and Linux Partnership? I hope not."

I take it you mean the attempted takeover of RedHat by AOL? Well thank f**k it never happened is all I can say. Everything AOL touches turns to ****, and it would be no different with RedHat. RedHat specialise in Linux for the workplace, not desktop Linux which is what AOL would be interested in. No, AOL only tried to buy RedHat cos they're the only Linux distributor who've made consistent profits. The day AOL gets a hold of Linux will spell the end for GNU and the GPL I feel.

"You do know AOL is actually owned in part and or affiliated with Microsoft"

Umm... since when? Why then are they going against them in direct competition? Namely: a) trying to get involved with Linux (known now as "The Threat" at M$ HQ) and b) giving up IE as it's intergrated browser of choice and opting for Netscape (IE's arch rival, which they own) instead...?

AOL and M$ are two totally different companies, and they are not connected in any way at all, apatr from both of them being total bastards.

"That's it, my next Comp has to either be a Mac or a Linux system"

Macs are sexy (and thanks to the BSD in OS X, are now also slightly more configurable), but only GNU/Linux gives you true FREEDOM! I can safely say I long for the day when I no longer have to use windows any more. The standard of the applications on my Linux distro are outstanding, and I've only just scratched the surface. Ever used a computer and thought "Wouldn't it be great if...?" Chances are with Linux that soemone already has. Bliss.

"AOL will be the Only thing on it"

I pity you... what I hate most about AOL is the way it installs a bunch of crap on any PC machine you stick the CD into, like AIM and the AOL browser. I'll choose my own software thank-you. IN the UK at least they're a ****ty and expensive ISP anyway; they just get cutomers through extensive marketing, fear techniques , FUD ("only AOL can protect your children from porn", "the worlds best internet provider" and other such crap). I don't know what their service is like in the YooEss but here it's abysmal. The worst thing is the people that although they've never tried anything different still believe that AOL are "the best". Poor, deluded fools.

"They do make good coster's"

We're guing ours together and then sawing the stack in two to make a set of bookends. We're thinking about submitting them to either a home design show or an exhibition in contemporary art.

[GameMaster]

Originally posted by .: Shooter :.
I say we all go buy Macs :D

Thank you Shooter. That's what us Mac users like to hear. Think different.

[sdtPikachu]

Originally posted by GameMaster
That's what us Mac users like to hear. Think different.

iMachiavellian. Think dissident.

Obviously, those of you not familiar with your Renaissance history probably won't get this. Never mind!

[Shadow_Link]

Originally posted by sdtPikachu
iMachiavellian. Think dissident.

HAHA! Nice one Pika. It's been quite a long time since you last posted.

[sdtPikachu]

Yep, it's been a damned busy few mongths and I've just not had the time to post anything really.

Oh well, here's to having more free time once my exams are over.

[Cyrax9]

I was signing off of AOHell to use the Crapper, when instead of the typical "Try our Broadband Service" message (No thank you, I already have a Crappy M$ Broadband Connection if I where to get another Boradband cionnection it would be a stable one), I get a Messae that says "Do you want to Beta test For AOL and Recive free Service and access to new features before anyone else?" with the "YES" and "NO" buttons on the Meesage Box. Of course I clicked "NO", but the thought that AOL needs the average idiot to do their "Beta Testing" proves the reason that people have knicknamed it AOHell.

I think we should all write a Book called "101 uses for an AOL CD besides a Crappy ISP". WE already Have the Obvious uses such as a Coster, and a Frissbee, but I have some other Ideas as well.

We can also use them for, retiling a bathroom, clay shooting, makeshift self-defense weapons, and Sgt Pika's amazing Bookends, which I'd Love to buy a set of alomng with an "I hate Microsoft" T-shirt, which would be used in my collection of "Computer disatsers turned into Novelties".

Now if anyone had some other Microsoft stuff that people could Blow Up on National Holidays, Like July 4th in the USA and Canada Day in canada instead of ireworks, I'd be glad to watch a few XBox's and copies of windows XP be shot into the Air to from the Universal "NO" sign over thw Letters "MS".