From: "D Gartner" <dgwhiz@earthling.net>
To: "PC Choice Petition" <dgwhiz@earthling.net>
Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 05:27:02 -0500
Subject: Linux, and Freedom of Choice Petition

======================================================
 Invitation to Sign IACT's Freedom of Choice Petition
======================================================

 To: Linux users, programmers, resellers & consultants


If you want the right to choose what software and
hardware products are installed on your own computer,
then the Freedom of Choice Petition is for you. No matter
what p.o.v. you have about the Microsoft monopoly, and
whether you are a Linux home or business user, software
developer or computer re-seller, you are invited to join
us in this Petition to stop the exclusive
pre-installation [bundling or tying] of a single
company's software on the computers sold, bought and used
across the world.

Many of us realize that PC makers such as Compaq, Dell,
Gateway etc. pre-install Microsoft software on the
majority of new computers, along with hardware e.g.
modems and chipsets "optimized" just for Windows. We are
given no other choice. The PC maker will not install any
other mix of software brands for us. Though many of us
will delete the MSFT Windows software from our systems,
neither MSFT nor the computer companies will give us a
fair market exchange or refund. With such a lack of fair
choice, we are forced to pay double-- first when we pay
for Microsoft programs that we don't intend to use, and
secondly when we buy Linux software that we really want. 

The only real, long-term solution is to buy new computers
with a choice of all available software in any
combination, including no software whatsoever. Likewise,
new computer hardware must support a wide range of
operating systems such as Linux-- not merely the
operating environments pushed upon us by Microsoft.

Our computers indeed belong to us and _not_ to Microsoft
nor the PC makers; those companies must respect our right
to choose for ourselves which programs and hardware will
be installed on our own property! You can help us send
that direct message to the PC companies, just by
supporting IACT's Freedom of Choice Petition. Take a
moment to read the Petition in the "Connections" section
of our website at...

     http://pages.cthome.net/iact/iact-tell.html#IACTion

...and "sign on" to the letter with us! Follow the Steps
given below, to send in your name. 


------------------------------------------
How to sign the Freedom of Choice Petition
------------------------------------------

STEPS 1-2-3

This project's success will depend a lot on good timing,
so please sign the Petition today. It's quick 'n' easy if
you follow these simple 1-2-3 steps:

  {1} Reply to me at this address (dgwhiz@earthling.net).
      Use a Subject Header of "Sign Petition" for your
      message. 

  {2} In the body of the message, clearly type... 

the necessary info
------------------
  First name:
  Middle name or initial:
  Last name:
  City, State/Province, and Nation:
  E-mail Address:
  {* Your e-mail address will _not_ be given to the
  recipients of the Petition nor to third parties!}

the optional info
-----------------
  your business/professional name, if any:
  (e.g., Programmer, Lovable Software Co.)
  -OR- your affiliation with a related org:
  (e.g., Member, Friendly OS User Group)

  {3} Send your signature message to me before end of the
      deadline day of Saturday, June 5th, 1999!


That's all! Please do not copy and send me any part of
this Invitation-- just send me your short e-mail message
according to Steps 1-3 above.


             Diane Gartner, IACT Co-ordinator
                   dgwhiz@earthling.net

   The International Alliance for Compatible Technology
   ----------------------------------------------------
              http://pages.cthome.net/iact/
   ----------------------------------------------------