Re: On Compatibility

[Alfred M\. Szmidt]

   I work in a building with over 200 people.

My univ. is a building with aprox 1000 people, exlcuding students.
All use Emacs.

   That's why every major computer dealer bundles some Office suite
   with their computers.  That's why MS produces Office.

I fail to see what non-free software has to do with anything.

   It's a HUGE cash cow.  That's why the whole OASIS OpenDoc thing is
   such a big deal too.

No, it isn't, the reason why it is a huge deal is because of freedom.

   As far as multi-user systems, they generally operate as servers.
   There are a few places where people still use dumb terminals with a
   VT-100 intepreter for everything, but every office in every country
   I've done work in uses PC's connected to file and print servers.

Every _big_ building uses something akin to a dumb terminal (usual
crap like SunRay's or what not that can handle X sessions remotley)
since maintaining 300 something PC's is a nightmare.

   As far as "installed by default", if it's not, then the average
   user won't use it.

FireFox isn't installed by default, for some odd reason a lot of
people use it...  Which contradicts your statement quite badly.

   I've got plenty of real-life examples of average computer users
   that I deal with every single day.  It's an eye-opening experience.

So have I.