Hi Chris,

>>>Here is another suggestion. If either of you or Jerry find Microsoft, or any other company, to be amoral, then stop buying and using their products.
>>
>>You need to read a little more closely. I said that the marketplace was this way, not MSFT.
>
>That is why I wrote if you find then to be amoral. Is it your contention that they are?

I didn't say.. <g>

Candidly I think they are an amalgam of each individual and that each individual will have some level on the overall tone. Bill Gates obviously has a lot more influence than most I would suppose but moral influence, and who has it can be surprising at times.

I'd start with their official policies for my general guidance I suppose.

>
>>Microsoft needs, in so many words, to 'take care of their own' in the sense that if they want to elevate or lift the general moral level of business with respect to their general ability vis a vis everyone else participating in the marketplace, they need to persuade their own employees (by example would be best) to raise their own personal levels of morality (however the individuals may define this). Usually, under the laws that currently govern the US and the State of Washington (or any other legal jurisdiction) there are quite a few restrictions on just how far a company is allowed to go.
>
>Are you saying that Microsoft need to raise there level of morality?

I didn't say. <g>

What I did say was thet they were responsible for their area of influence; both corporately and as individuals. But, I also would want to restate that I think the general moral tone at a company like Microsoft will be an amalgam of the individuals (see above).

>
>>It is neither Microsoft's nor the federal government's role to be responsible for the morality content of any given society - other than via persuasion. IMO, at the end of the day it's up to the individual. You and me.
>
>I never claimed it was Microsoft's responsibility, so I do not know where that statement is coming from.

No, you didn't but it was a part of the discussion. That is, they (MSFT) had some type of moral influence. Where is IMO the issue as well as how they deal with it.

>
>>I quite agree that I am responsible for making the decision whether or not to support any given company's product(s) and by inference their stands on any given issue. I don't drink alcohol as I detest the effects of alcohol on society, the family and the individuals. I do not have the right to stop you from drinking though.
>>
>>Microsoft has every right to market VFP as they see fit, whether you, I, or anyone else likes it. That's the priviledge they take upon themselves by being willing to take the attendent risks.
>>
>>Microsoft was found guilty recently you know. That their 'punishment' amounts to nothing more than a slap on the wrist is another matter but the responsibility there resides in the US government collectively.
>>
>>What's so hard to understand about this?? <s> Perhaps you're confusing the federal government with the marketplace?
>
>I am not having a problem understanding this. My problem is strictly with people who complain about Microsoft's immoral practices, but continue to buy and use their products.

I have no argument with you whatsoever on this particular issue. I think the griping is a little tendentious at times. <s>