You’ve probably already noticed that you can’t find a computer in a retail store these days that doesn’t have Vista installed. Microsoft has written into their OEM licencse agreements that as of 1/1/2008, even Dell and HP won’t be able to ship you a computer with Windows XP installed.

Why should you care? Well, among other reasons not to use Vista posted in previous blogs, Microsoft has designed Vista to collect enough personal information about its users to make even our Warrantless Spymaster in Chief happy. And there is no choice in the matter – the license agreement says if you use the feature you agree to share the data with Microsoft. Want to use Parental Controls on your home computer? Not only will you be able to see every URL your kids went to, but so will Microsoft. Want to browse the web? Don’t use Internet Explorer 7. Play some music? Don’t use Windows Media Player.

More details on the Big Brother features of Vista

Want an alternative for home use? Dell is now offering computers with Ubuntu Linux preinstalled. OpenOffice.org provides a free equivalent to Microsft Office, available for Windows as well as Linux. It can read and write files in Office formats. You could use Linux at work as well, if your Windows apps (such as MAS 90) are set up on a Terminal Server – Ubuntu includes a Terminal Server Client.

It’s Independence Day. What better time to break the monopoly?

By the way, Sage ACCPAC ERP can run on a Linux server. There is even a preconfigured turnkey package of server and software available.