As a Texan, an atheist and a Linux user, I believe that state government has a right to decide to hold the line on upgrades, and am glad to see technically savvy legislators get involveed. Texas has a long tradition of fierce independence and populism, and this move honors both. We won't be pushed into upgrades which will reduce the quality of services provided by the state while increasing maintenance and operational costs. This is a religion we reject.

Erik's post compares rationalists who believe in the theory of evolution to Nazis, links students of Charles Darwin to Hitler's policies, and states that non-believers feel human beings have no intrinsic value and that, as animals, they might be disassembled for their economic value. It incorrectly describes the scientific, evidence-base theory of evolution as a "pseudo-religious idea". This comment is harassing, defamatory, abusive, harmful and otherwise objectionable.

If i recall correctly. Microsofts offical head office in Texas!
They supposedly stuck it there so they dont have to pay as much tax!

all the same. Vista does suck. roll-on Win7.

Check out my cartoon on the subject at www.pcdisorder.com

Come on guys evolution has never been even as popular as Vista among average people. Calling it pseudo-religious is what is brain dead.

There are more Phd level biologists who believe in ufo abductions than there are that have problems with evolution. Its a theory over 150 years old. It took about 80 years to become well accepted and for the last 80 it has basically been universally accepted. Get over it all ready.

But of course scientists have no business deciding what is or isn't good science. Thats a job for politicians seeing as how they are so unbiased about such things. Never mind that they wouldn't know an endogenous retrovirus from a pseudo-gene. Only truly ignorant people can be unbiased. And nobody can reasonably doubt that Texas politicians and the Godbots that elect them are the gold standard for ignorant.

And Vista sucks. Not because it is so bad. It sucks because after so much time it offers very little that is new at double the price.

Erick I am not sure how we go about talking about Vista to Hitler that is a real leap off topic.

Some of you don't realise that Msoft put alot of money into Texas and for the government to stiff them like that in a Public Domain well I wouldn't be too happy either. In Fact I may pull my business out of the state.

Vista is a Good O/S. Because it doesn't live up to some geeks expectations it is crap. What you people fail to realise is that Msoft isn't trying to please your personal requirements but make a Marketable product. For all your whining Vista has sold remarkably well around the world and will continue for some time.

Get over it.

Since Microsoft requires activation ,when/if they refuse to activate it ,it's worthless. So actually you dont OWN XP,Vista,Win7...You just RENT it until microsoft decides to take the key from you and evict you. To me thats false advertising telling you to BUY something then taking it away from you when they decide your time is up.

This politician isn't trying to decide what OS you use, merely trying to prevent public funds from being wasted on an OS that is to put it mildly, undesirable. And if im not mistaken being a politician, public spending would indeed be in his job area.

I'm always shocked when I see sudden outbursts of common sense like this. And despite what some other people might say, I think it is good that someone is excercising their right to choose what OS goes on the compter they pay for. Of course MS is acting all like OMFG the nerve of you ppl...you're all such commies!!!!!

I echo Erick's post, I can't fathom how someone can accept the science in quantum physics required for microelectronics and yet deny the science of biology, more so when the use of genetic algorithms (which come from the understanding of the process of evolution) are successfully applied to microelectronics and computer science.

What's next, the light from the stars was 'created' _in transit_ so we could see it from day one of the creation? o.O

To Show support for Computer AfterMarket is Insisting Loyalist GIVE UP nt6, when this header arrived: 2009
Report: PC makers to provide free Vista-to Win-7 upgrades starting July 1
Posted by Mary Jo Foley @ 10:05 am
So Vista is Backbone for summertime of FUN. Sayeth Mary Jo. Dancin Script? Republic of Texas will know nothing of it, Heavy Metal Backboard of Mexican Dragline Little Cairo an ibm 360 protype still in use powers Republic of Matamorphous; Mx to this date, so xp? banned vissas' , No Sheetski? Really way to start two cents late with too much restrictions upon fast moving industry by unkowne prophets of foolishness. drashek

"Also a state that put creationism in it's schools too"

Someone shoot me in the head! I can't belive I've read something like that in an IT related site...

And for the rest:

Firstly, it's a state bill to stop the STATE gov from buying it... not people... They just won't buy anymore of it for the gov... And btw, imho, ANY gov that buys Vista must be receiving REALLY BAD IT advices...

Nick wrote: "not only will people not buy it, but STATES will ban it. Serves 'em right, thats what you get for not being inovative. Capitalism at its best if you ask me."

you obviously like the decision for now as it conforms to your ideas.
however government banning products that they (and you) think not innovative enough is not called Capitalism.
want to try again and put a name to it?

Get ready for Windows XP: Texas Edition.

(Now with fully functional Vista DRM)

The Joke in all of this is- Folks who don't want Vista but downgrade to XP are still putting money into MICROSOFT SOFTWARE!!! Doesn't really matter if it is XP or Vista.

If you represent a major market for a vendor, and would prefer not to be forced into upgrading, what are your options?

Texas may have asked themselves that very question and decided to try to convince MS to continue to make XP available. We'll see if the gamble works (I'd bet against it)

No there is nothing wrong with it. First it may be a non tech savvy politician makeing the law, but you can bet he is being advised by people who are tech savvy. Afterall they are right, vista sucks, and per bem003s comment, it is a smart move.

Second, our awesome freedom of choice in this instance will compel the market to stop building trash, and build something worthwile, Vista is trash, MS should have done better, and now they are going to feel the consequences of putting crap on the market... not only will people not buy it, but STATES will ban it.

Serves 'em right, thats what you get for not being inovative.

Capitalism at its best if you ask me.

AMEN TEXAS, trust me if only my employeer would move my job there.....

I don't feel that it warrants legislation, but requiring users to downgrade to XP for the moment to keep everyone on the same platform is a brilliant idea. If you look at the IT sector at the moment the only bright spot appears to be NetBooks and Mini-Atom based PCs, and Vista doesn't appear on any of them. This should be rectified with the release of Windows 7, but if you're looking to support a large number of users and applications across a wide range of hardware - now and in the future - for a long period of time (best "bang for your buck") then Vista is a waste/dead-end (XP for now soon migrate to Windows 7 - aka: Vista Second Edition). I don't know if the legislator really had this in mind (I doubt it), or if it really requires legislation, but strategically/economically speaking, it is a brilliant move.

really don't see a problem with that? as much as you may hate MS, do you really think it should be up to non tech savvy politician to dictate what OS you use?

The bible-thumping Texans MUST have seen Ballmer's devil-dance video. This horrific ritual should really be enough to ban all Microsoft products from the homes, businesses and schools of the righteous:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvsboPUjrGc

I hope the Texans *do the right thing* and use open source products. As well: penguins are much better looking mascots, and are also less sweaty and smell a lot better.

Ditto !

Vista is junkware. Windows 2000 was the best OS that Microsoft ever made. Its been down hill ever since. The company is run by idiots!

One of the few states who has an express line to the death penalty instead of keeping murderers feed on public money. Also a state that put creationism in it's schools too. You got to love them. The bleeding heart atheist liberals don't but I don't give a rats ass what liberals think. They can all kiss my arse and come see me on the 15th at the Tea Party I am going to.