Microsoft vs The Beatles

I have nothing against Microsoft (MS) as a software company. Windows works. It has flaws; over rigidity, security vulnerablities and instabilities but the typical PC user finds the interface with their hardware quick and easy. Linux does not offer the same level of support to its users. A Linux installation can take weeks to finalise. In the past I have been plagued by problems with such basics as getting my computer to play sound and obtaining drivers for my broadband modem.

I do object to the business practices of MS. The consumer did not choose Windows, because it is bundled with all new PCs. The situation is akin to that of a person baptised as an infant and raised as a Christian; all of this was decided for them without their consent. After decades of Windows ubiquity anyone who considers heresy must repel years of familiarity, habit and dogma.

A recent example is the smear campaign of The Beatles begun by MS. The Beatles back catalogue is to be made available online via software from Apple. Such a lucrative contract for the only significant commercial rival to MS has prompted them to lash out. Cue an article on the MS network website. It suggests that The Beatles are not above criticism and that there are deficits in some of their output and their personal behaviour. Fair enough. The article also suggests that The Beatles were not innovators and merely followed the tide. The Beatles have admitted that they borrowed mercilessly and there is no shame in this because 99.99% of all art works in this way. But The Beatles did innovate and lead the way at certain points. The article says that The Beatles were slow to emerge from psychedelia and that the song 'Get Back' marks their return to straight rock, hence the name. Wrong. The title of 'Get Back' reflected the desire of Paul to resume live performance. The real get back record was 'Lady Madonna' recorded in early 1968 before The Beatles went to India, a full year before 'Get Back'. The Beatles abandoned psychedelia at its peak and were one of the first mainstream groups to get back.

Factual innaccuracy renders any just criticism in the MS network article into a smear campaign penned by a lazy journalist with a hidden commercial agenda. Perhaps MS can explain on their mouthpiece website why MS Vista costs twice as much in Britain as in the US. Bill Gates gave a non answer the other day. The real reason is that the British consumer has been exploited by high prices for many years. The British economy is founded upon the idea that its own health is more important than that of the individual. This sort of ideology, in which the state is deemed more important than the individual is inherently totalitarian. Consumer debt is caused by excessive prices in all sectors. The banks then move in and pick the bones of the carcass by charging overdraft and credit card fees. Of course, the consumer has choice - no one forces the consumer to pay these prices. Yeah right. And billion dollar ad campaigns don't work in convincing people that they need this product and will fall behind and face social exclusion if they don't get it.