Boycott Microsoft

[MeChaNiZ3D]

I'm not going to join in your boycott. You know why? I don't need any encouragement not to buy an Xbone.

Not buying products from the whole company does no-one any good. It doesn't give feedback to the company and it deprives you of products. I'll buy whatever I like if it's useful and reasonable and whatnot. Don't like Windows 8? I certainly don't. I didn't buy it. Don't like the Xbone? I certainly don't. I'm not going to buy it. But if I wanted to buy something else, something nice and functional from Microsoft, why the fuck not? They don't say "Well our net profit was decent so everything we make must be resonating with our consumers". They have sales figures and statistics so they can go "Oh look. No-one bought the Xbone. Or Windows 8. But they're still happy with the 360 and Windows 7, maybe we should stop being such cocks and make our next products like those".

In fact, that's pretty much my stance on boycotts. If there's something you personally won't stand for, don't buy the product, but the other side of the equation is that if something is all well and good, encourage it by not restricting yourself from buying it.

 

[Tarcolt]

Boycotts dont work... You need huge percentages of the potential market to even be noticed. the best way to boycott any new consoles would be from a trade perspective, if stores refused to sell them then a company would really understand how little people wanted their product

 

[Ushiromiya Battler]

Wait, people pay for windows? Really?

Anyways, never intended on getting the Xbone anyways, I prefer my pc gaming and the only games I play on consoles are JRPG's.

CAPTCHA: You win, that I do, that I do

 

[Timmey]

As people have suggested, don't buy an Xbox, simply buy a Wii U or a PS4, the market figures will do the rest, no need for a boycott.

 

[Maximum Bert]

They have a wonderful 250GB cap per month. So now I get to pay extra for games I buy if I get an Xbone for overage charges. Yay! I already have to watch this crap with Steam, Netflix, and any actual online gaming I do. I don't need a console design to suck up bandwidth like a kid with a new crazy straw.

My cap is 20GB so er yeah I could go unlimited but it would cost me double the amount each month and I cant afford that also my connection speed is laughable if I get up to 1.5mbps then I am extremely lucky and I did have it at below dial up speeds for 3 months which really pissed me off.

As for boycotting Microsoft unfortunately I cant do it easily I rely on the PC to much for my work although I often seek free solutions to Microsoft products where possible i.e use Open Office its still their OPS.

For Xbox One I am just disgusted with it and have finally decided to ignore it after E3 so I guess I am boycotting it. I just do not like the direction they are trying to force us in.

The PS4 and WiiU I will just keep an eye on as usual and get if I think its worth the investment.

 

[thesilentman]

Yes, boycot Microsoft. Go PC gaming, where you will game on a... Microsoft machine.

Linux, that is all. And no, do not think of it at the Windows killer, as the people who think so are kidding themselves into thinking that Linux is some sort of Windows competitor. It's not, but it's a viable alternative.

How is linux a viable operating system when it's obscure to over half of the population? It's nearly impossible to boycott something that's almost mandatory for day to day lives. I will be boycotting their system to let them know that I'm no longer a consumer in their gaming products.

Citation please.

I'm being very picky here I know, but this is something from which I need the numbers to back you up. This is not directed at anyone in particular, but I find it hard to believe that half the IT population doesn't know Linux.

Or was it the European population? Doubt it, as some (quite possibly more) countries there are running Linux...

That's one problem; no descriptive modifiers were given. Half of which population, again?

Also; I said viable alternative. My original post also elaborates on the fact that I cannot fully run away from MS as my parents are resilient to change and for some games that I don't want to mess around in Wine too much for. I've been able to do it, but my laziness prevents me from doing so all the time.

 

[TheUnbeholden]

Well duh.. isn't this kind of a given? Microsoft fucks everyone over so we fuck them over. Do we really need a official "boycott" group.

 

[O maestre]

i do not think you can effectively boycott Microsoft, as an electronic engineering student I have time and time again been surprised by just how much of our technology has a Microsoft patent alongside it thanks to aggressive corporate acquisitions , whether it be hardware, software, complete machines, operating systems, drivers, components or even peripherals along with part ownership of some new outlets. Believe me Microsoft gets its piece of the pie no matter which kind of pie it is. There is a reason that both American and European courts have hauled Microsoft into court on anti trust and monopoly charges. I do not think it can be feasibly done to avoid the company, unless you stop buying consumer electronics all together.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_Microsoft

 

[Joccaren]

Why boycott?
Just don't buy what you don't want to buy. Seeing as no-one really wants to buy the Xbone anyway, not much different going on there. Then there's Windows 8, which a lot of people don't like [Though sadly have probably already bought it by the time they found that out], and Microsoft games - which will be largely exclusive to the Xbone, except the few multiplatform ones that there's no reason not to buy.

I mean, really, is there a need for a big conscious revolt against MS, not buying anything they sell because of the Xbone, or is it more a natural order of things ATM because they're not releasing a lot of great stuff that people won't buy it anyway, like if a candy store were to start selling dog crap flavoured lollies. That's not a boycott. Its just natural consumerism.

If there's a reason someone wants an Xbone, let them buy it. If not, well, I don't see a lot of people queuing up to buy it so... Yeah... MS done goofed up this one.

 

[TheUnbeholden]

i do not think you can effectively boycott Microsoft, as an electronic engineering student I have time and time again been surprised by just how much of our technology has a Microsoft patent alongside it thanks to aggressive corporate acquisitions , whether it be hardware, software, complete machines, operating systems, drivers, components or even peripherals along with part ownership of some new outlets. Believe me Microsoft gets its piece of the pie no matter which kind of pie it is. There is a reason that both American and European courts have hauled Microsoft into court on anti trust and monopoly charges. I do not think it can be feasibly done to avoid the company, unless you stop buying consumer electronics all together.

Where theres a will theres a way. Even Oil companies are finally going to get killed off in a 4-5 years time when electric cars get released to the public (that run on solar energy, and actually make more energy then they use). There will be supercharger stations around America.

Why boycott?
Just don't buy what you don't want to buy. Seeing as no-one really wants to buy the Xbone anyway, not much different going on there. Then there's Windows 8, which a lot of people don't like [Though sadly have probably already bought it by the time they found that out],

Actually less than 5% of PC users are using Windows 8 so obviously not many people bought it.

I'm being very picky here I know, but this is something from which I need the numbers to back you up. This is not directed at anyone in particular, but I find it hard to believe that half the IT population doesn't know Linux.

I was very surprised to find out that nobody knew about linux in my legal study class, and Innovation in the Workplace class. Only about half of the people in computer courses knew about it. So it's clear to me that normal people just go out and buy Windows or Mac,
no advertising for Linux, no products on shelves, obviously general people won't know.
Those that do probably won't get it due to it not supporting to many programs/games.
Those that do use it, know thats it's really good, fast operating system and find out that WineHQ solves the issue of program compatibility.

It's not like the buggy initial releases of Microsoft.. seriously I had to wait for a SERVICE PACK for XP, Vista and Windows 7 before I would dare touch them after noticing the performance hit. XP still to this day has network issues for something that should be pretty damn simple, plugging a cable from one PC to another.

 

[Lovely Mixture]

Sorry, I'm sticking to Microsoft, and sticking to Windows on my computer, Apple Macs don't support SLI. Plus I don't like paying extra for my hardware to be encased in aluminium.

A boycott doesn't mean halting the use of the products you already own. Just don't buy Windows 8 (not that you'd want to anyway).

I'm sticking with my Windows 7. But if Microsoft continues with their online policies, I doubt I'm buying another OS from them.

 

[Foolery]

Boycott? I'm just not going to buy the damn thing. Simple. I don't need an organized effort or mandate of any kind. I'll go pick up a Wii U. Or possibly a PS4 if I'm interested in doing any more console gaming. As for PC, well I already have Windows 7. I suppose I could make the leap to Linux. I'm fairly tech-savvy, but honestly I can't be bothered at the moment.

 

[Zac Jovanovic]

You really think MS are that much worse than Sony? Sony simple outwaited them and played their cards better.
Did you miss the whole part of PS4 focusing on digital distribution? They're gonna achieve everything MS tried to and get to bury Xbone as well, the only difference is they're not jump at you at once, they're gonna smooth you into it step by step. Masterfully well played, yes, but funny how short people's visions are.

Mark my words, in 2 years time you'll be downloading all your games and there won't be a used games market worth mentioning. Some will switch out of convenience, the rest of out necessity.

 

[Lilani]

Well, there is that travesty called Windows 8. Plenty of reasons to be mad over that if you like to keep your OS up to date, like myself. Luckily, I always watch what people say about the Windows betas and managed to avoid that turd entirely. I guess I'll just run Win7 until Linux becomes a viable gaming platform.

As I said, at least not more than usual. The same thing happened when Microsoft released Vista. And ME. And...2000? Wasn't there a 2000 somewhere along the line?

 

[Charli]

Boycotting Microsoft's Xbox Division, Yes. PC Gamers do not feel guilty or apathetic, we're forced to use Microsoft through work and compatibility, try Linux, give the developers of these OS' support and help get games given compatibility for them.

But one beast at a time. Microsoft's Xbox division is not the same as their PC OS division (though we can see the root mentality present in Windows 8.)

I would urge them as I am urging many in my street (I Live next to a primary school) to not get this thing. Wait for the PS4 if you feel the Wii U doesn't meet your standards.
I may be a PC gamer but I still worked in Gaming retail hell and I still keep informed on things. So people often ask me.

Boycott? I'm just not going to buy the damn thing.

That's all a 'boycott' requires of you Citizen. Relax.

 

[Lilani]

i do not think you can effectively boycott Microsoft, as an electronic engineering student I have time and time again been surprised by just how much of our technology has a Microsoft patent alongside it thanks to aggressive corporate acquisitions , whether it be hardware, software, complete machines, operating systems, drivers, components or even peripherals along with part ownership of some new outlets. Believe me Microsoft gets its piece of the pie no matter which kind of pie it is. There is a reason that both American and European courts have hauled Microsoft into court on anti trust and monopoly charges. I do not think it can be feasibly done to avoid the company, unless you stop buying consumer electronics all together.

Where theres a will theres a way. Even Oil companies are finally going to get killed off in a 4-5 years time when electric cars get released to the public (that run on solar energy, and actually make more energy then they use). There will be supercharger stations around America.

Lol...no. Just no. There are several things wrong with this. First, 4-5 years? No, it's going to take longer than that. Calling that right now. Secondly, solar energy? I realize it's improving substantially every year, but there's still a LOT wrong with the solar car idea. Places like Seattle come to mind. I always thought the hydrogen fuel cell car was generally accepted as the most viable gas alternative. And then "superchargers stations around America?" Yeah, maybe everybody will have access to one someday...like 20 years down the line when they start becoming common in my neck of the woods. Maybe, if somebody's feeling generous and pities the podunk parts of the US.

And then just because something is released to the public doesn't mean it's going to immediately be owned by a huge amount of the public. People have to buy these cars. They will be new at first, so the only people who will buy them will be people who:

- Can afford a brand new car
- Want/need a car of the specific size and specs of those solar cars
- Are interested in electric cars
- Aren't worried about travelling to places without charging stations

That is a very narrow pool of buyers. Not to mention all the vehicles that are already on the market and not owned by people. A huge percentage of vehicles on the road today are 10 and 20 years old. The people who own these cars usually can't just replace them on a whim. And even if they do replace them, it'll be a used car because they can't just up and buy a new one.

I don't know what sort of optimistic science-fiction magazine you've been reading, but I'm afraid there's a lot of reality in the way of this dream of yours. The only thing I could see making enough drivers switch to alternative fuel that could have any effect on oil companies is an acute oil crisis accompanied by government programs giving people who can't afford them alternative fuel vehicles. Maybe where you live people are all optimistic about this stuff, but where I live the very idea of solar energy is a joke, and electric cars have never proven themselves as effective as gas. A lot of people around here need trucks for work, and the ones in need of a new car aren't interested in some crazy electric car they don't know if they'll be able to fill up everywhere. They'd just be happy with a car built after the year 2000.

And then there's the fact that that electricity has to come from somewhere, and in most places the sun certainly isn't going to be providing enough. Oil companies will still have a refuge in power plants, especially if electricity usage spikes with these new cars.

 

[Foolery]

Boycott? I'm just not going to buy the damn thing.

That's all a 'boycott' requires of you Citizen. Relax.

Hey, I'm relaxed. Mostly. The OP just makes it sound a bit more involved than that, haha. I suppose I could always tell friends to steer clear of the Xbox One if they ask about it. But ultimately it's their decision. At least we have Steam on Linux now. That makes it a bit better. Granted, there's not much available. Valve games. And a few other titles.

 

[Charli]

Boycott? I'm just not going to buy the damn thing.

That's all a 'boycott' requires of you Citizen. Relax.

Hey, I'm relaxed. Mostly. The OP just makes it sound a bit more involved than that, haha. I suppose I could always tell friends to steer clear of the Xbox One if they ask about it. But ultimately it's their decision. At least we have Steam on Linux now. That makes it a bit better. Granted, there's not much available. Valve games. And a few other titles.

Yeah alot of people in this thread seem to think they'll be demanded to march in the streets. Naw, I've not bought an EA game in over 8 years now. Close to 9 if I can make it through this year, I haven't organized, wrote them, or done anything more than that. I consider my part done and dusted. I have spoken with my wallet and have resisted the shiny, and lo and behold Karma seems to be doing the job fine with my little tiny bit of help. Good stuff.


The most I can encourage people to do is to use Linux when you can, and write to indie developers about how interested you'd be in Linux supported games. Or if nothing else, be a small time game dev yourself and try to develop a little, easy game for Linux OS's (I am attempting this, it's going slow, but you really don't need to do much different. I may or may not eat those words in the year ahead of me but oh well.) Grow the hype. Try to see if you can find good and easy solutions to altering programs to fit the Linux systems because I swear to god compared to Windows over-bloated, rock-heavy mass of code, Linux is like a floating little bubble of fun, just waiting for you to add whatever you want to it. You don't need to be a master programmer to get your head around the easier compilations and alot of work has been done to stream line the processes for beginners. I'd love it if more people got onto Linux and it received the support it needs from big names.

 

[Denamic]

I'll boycott the console, but not Microsoft as a whole. Windows 7 is good and deserves to be purchased. X1 isn't and doesn't.

 

[thesilentman]

Well, there is that travesty called Windows 8. Plenty of reasons to be mad over that if you like to keep your OS up to date, like myself. Luckily, I always watch what people say about the Windows betas and managed to avoid that turd entirely. I guess I'll just run Win7 until Linux becomes a viable gaming platform.

As I said, at least not more than usual. The same thing happened when Microsoft released Vista. And ME. And...2000? Wasn't there a 2000 somewhere along the line?

Just a heads up: Windows 2000 Professional is not one of the failed OSes. It was actually one of the more stable OSes out there that was released. Just a small correction, that's all. ;-)