Thread

1. silverFork · 1790683767 · focus · HN ↗

   It is more like self imposed sanction against US made products. There are now tons of open source operating systems and applications that can replace Microsoft products, which are basically some old programs. The replacements cost vastly less for use and support.

   1. pipes · 1790685182 · focus · HN ↗

      Citation needed on the costs vastly less to support and use.

      1. bluGill · 1790685527 · focus · HN ↗

         Very much. There are a lot of hidden costs in computers. What does IT cost you? If everybody already knows the other program how much productivity is lost before they figure out the slight changes with the new (they will learn but experts will need time to become experts).

         1. jackb4040 · 1790690368 · focus · HN ↗

            > If everybody already knows the other program

            Thankfully what you're describing is a switching cost, not a permanently higher operating cost. Once the monopoly is broken and the state is using open source tools, there's every reason to believe it will be cheaper - no expensive proprietary certifications etc.

            It would be unbelievable that the US would rather continue facilitating a genocide than retain Microsoft's global enterprise software monopoly, had they not already destroyed the UN, the ICC, and the global economy for that goal.

            All they had to do was make keep the other costs lower than the switching costs, and they could've continued setting terms forever.

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