John,

>You must have some concerns regarding M$. How about the recent letter sent to many companies regarding licenses? I have only one client that recieved the letter - but it going to cost them thousands to comply.

I don't know if anyone in the UK has received this letter - they may have, but I don't know of any.

>
>Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean M$ is not attempting to control the internet/pc market. Would it be in your best interest if M$ controlled 98% of all the pc's in the UK? Would it be a stretch to see how that controlling 98% might influence the well being of UK citzens? M$ would be virtual dictator and even if M$ had the best of intentions for the citzens of the UK I know many would not like it. Passport/Hailstorm has me concerned. I'm concerned that one more step and M$ will have to much information about me. I don't trust anyone to make decisions regarding my best interest.

How much information does Microsoft have about you now ? From www.passport.com:

What personal information does Passport store?
Your Passport sign-in profile (the personal information that you provide when you sign up for a Passport) contains your sign-in name, password, e-mail address, country or region, ZIP Code, and a secret question and answer.

That hardly seems intrusive to me.

We've seen a lot of speculation on this thread about what Microsoft _might_ do, but very little facts to back up this speculation. Is it fair to demonise a company based on hearsay ?

Even if Microsoft were to control 98 % of the pcs in the uk now, I could still build a pc to my own specification and install my choice of OS on it. I somehow doubt that Microsoft would kick down my door to stop me.

Best.

Matt.