I'm surprised that I haven't seen someone suggest this before now, esp.
since there are many (including some on this group) who would consider
hanging, drawing and quartering to be excessively gentle and humane
punishment for SCO's executives. This form of punishment is described at
<http://www.richard.clark32.btinternet.co.uk/hdq.html> if you don't know
what it is. It's gruesome by any standards.

One thing I've picked up from at least a couple of sources is that SCO's
present claim to fame is that SCO OpenServer runs the cash registers at
McDonald's. (Big whoop.) I remember particularly as I read the "Halloween
document" that dissects SCO's suit against IBM that the topic came up over
and over again and was hooted because SCO characterized this cash
register-powering OS as "enterprise software".

If running McDonald's cash registers is their big (legitimate) cash cow,
why isn't anyone promoting a boycott of McDonald's? I'm sure there are
enough Linux geeks who regularly eat there to at least raise a big stink,
whether or not there are enough (even with friends and family) to put a
dent in Mickey D's bottom line. I've had thoughts of doing so myself,
except that it would be hypocritical--I very rarely eat there anyway. I'm
more of a Krystal/Hardee's/Burger King/Checkers kinda guy myself.

I can see it now; the McDonald's site <http://www.mcdonalds.com> starts
getting umpteen messages saying "Your restaurants use software to run
their cash registers which is provided by a company called The SCO Group
of Lindon, Utah. The business tactics of The SCO Group are at present
unethically undermining the use of software that my livelihood and that of
many others in the computer field depends upon. This software (called
Linux) may even be in use in your own corporate data centers, which if so
would mean you are even shooting yourself in the foot by continuing your
present dealings with The SCO Group. I urge you to practice your
commitment to social responsibility in the area of business ethics and
enforce the statement of "Compliance With Applicable Laws and Standards"
in your "Code of Conduct for Suppliers" (accessible via the shortcut
<http://tinyurl.com/uxxm>) to influence change in the business practices
of The SCO Group. In the meantime, as long as The SCO Group continues
their practices and McDonald's continues to purchase and use their
software, I will be patronizing (name of other fast food restaurant)
instead of McDonald's."

Ya gotta say it simple--the people reading these messages are probably
customer service types, not very technically informed and wouldn't know
what Linux was if Tux slapped 'em in the face.

Someone here commented that the prospect of litigation scares CEOs--the
prospect of a consumer boycott probably isn't too far behind.

Anybody game? "Save A Penguin--Eat A Whopper!" Sounds like a decent slogan
to me!

P.S. The regular URL referred to by the shortcut
<http://tinyurl.com/uxxm> is
<http://www.mcdonalds.com/corporate/social/marketplace/supplier/code/media/Code_of_Conduct_for_Suppliers.pdf>.
Needless to say, the TinyURL.com version is much more easily mailable.

================================================== =====================
I'm Mike--James' Dad, hence "JamesDad". I use this nym in memory of my
son James Webb (1992-2000) who died fighting leukemia. He was a greater
man at 8 than some ever become. May his life, battle and story never be
forgotten! More info at <http://www.themiraclekids.com/mem-james.htm>.

JamesDad wrote:

>If running McDonald's cash registers is their big (legitimate) cash cow,
>why isn't anyone promoting a boycott of McDonald's? I'm sure there are
>enough Linux geeks who regularly eat there to at least raise a big stink,
>whether or not there are enough (even with friends and family) to put a
>dent in Mickey D's bottom line. I've had thoughts of doing so myself,
>except that it would be hypocritical--I very rarely eat there anyway. I'm
>more of a Krystal/Hardee's/Burger King/Checkers kinda guy myself.
>
>
>
I'd happily boycott McDonalds, except I've been boycotting them for
four and a half years already because of their ANZAC day adds...

I must admit a certain glee when I found out that they ran SCO...

--
Scott Burns
Mirrabooka Systems

Tel +61 7 3857 7899
Fax +61 7 3857 1368

"Scott Burns" <scott@mirrabooka.com> wrote in message
news:22Ysb.399$z31.9652@news.optus.net.au...
> JamesDad wrote:
>
> >If running McDonald's cash registers is their big (legitimate) cash cow,
> >why isn't anyone promoting a boycott of McDonald's? I'm sure there are
> >enough Linux geeks who regularly eat there to at least raise a big
stink,
> >whether or not there are enough (even with friends and family) to put a
> >dent in Mickey D's bottom line. I've had thoughts of doing so myself,
> >except that it would be hypocritical--I very rarely eat there anyway.
I'm
> >more of a Krystal/Hardee's/Burger King/Checkers kinda guy myself.
> >
> >
> >
> I'd happily boycott McDonalds, except I've been boycotting them for
> four and a half years already because of their ANZAC day adds...

Hrm.. Missed those.. (in vic).

> I must admit a certain glee when I found out that they ran SCO...

bkx

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 03:20:36 GMT, JamesDad
<mewnewsARROGANCE@mailandnews.com> wrote:

>Anybody game? "Save A Penguin--Eat A Whopper!" Sounds like a decent slogan
>to me!

Sounds good. How about "You can have your Penguin and eat it too"?
http://www.goliathcorp.com/penguin.html
http://www.sugisorensen.com/sugi/penguin/nutri.html


--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# 831.421.6491 digital_pager jeffl@cruzio.com AE6KS

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 06:18:04 GMT, Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
>On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 03:20:36 GMT, JamesDad
><mewnewsARROGANCE@mailandnews.com> wrote:
>
>>Anybody game? "Save A Penguin--Eat A Whopper!" Sounds like a decent slogan
>>to me!
>
>Sounds good. How about "You can have your Penguin and eat it too"?

<snort> Sounds more like something that would belong on the SCO site to
me. Don't give Darl McBride any ideas. He'll probably have it on the menu
at the SCO company cafeteria and/or offer penguins with the SCO Linux
License as an incentive to buy them. At least people buying the license
would get SOMETHING of value out of the deal. ;-)

> http://www.goliathcorp.com/penguin.html
> http://www.sugisorensen.com/sugi/penguin/nutri.html

The links *were* interesting. To paraphrase Steven Vaughan-Nichols from
his latest column on SCO, "No More Nice Mr. IBM" at
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1380517,00.asp, "Every time I think
I've heard it all about new and unusual foods, somebody comes up with a
new howler." I thought it was wild enough some years back when I heard of
people starting to raise ostriches for food (there at least HAS been an
ostrich farm over in the next county but it's been several years since I
heard anything about it). But penguins? I had a few thoughts about that;

1) For Linux fans, market acceptance would have the "Tux" factor to
overcome, comparable to the "Bambi" factor in acceptance of venison ("Eat
TUX! That sounds like a SCO plot!").

2) As I read the second page and the comments about its taste, the classic
slogan popped into my head: "it tastes just like chicken!"

3) Noting your last name and guessing that you're at minimum ethnically
Jewish (at least in my experience, "-mann" is a suffix used in a Jewish
name), I thought "what if Jeff were to walk up to his rabbi and ask out of
the blue whether penguins were kosher?" ;-)

4) Going back to the "Tux" factor, Linus Torvalds would probably be
pleased to see the description of penguins as "super-aggressive" and that
the brains of wild penguins are toxic ("you don't want to mess around with
Tux's brains!").

5) Reading a little further, I realized that both of them were
parody/humor sites. Three subsequent Google searches turned up no sites
referring to human consumption of penguin meat, though there was one that
incidentally referred to human consumption of the eggs and another
documenting a humorous Boy Scout skit about eating penguin soup. (Thought
I'd leave my post as-is and add this at the end so that everyone else can
do a double-take, too! ;-) ) Thanks for the early morning chuckle, Jeff!

================================================== =====================
I'm Mike--James' Dad, hence "JamesDad". I use this nym in memory of my
son James Webb (1992-2000) who died fighting leukemia. He was a greater
man at 8 than some ever become. May his life, battle and story never be
forgotten! More info at <http://www.themiraclekids.com/mem-james.htm>.

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 12:43:26 GMT, JamesDad
<mewnewsARROGANCE@mailandnews.com> wrote:

>1) For Linux fans, market acceptance would have the "Tux" factor to
>overcome, comparable to the "Bambi" factor in acceptance of venison ("Eat
>TUX! That sounds like a SCO plot!").

At my high skool football games, we would often perform a mock ritual
sacrifice of the opponents mascot.

>2) As I read the second page and the comments about its taste, the classic
>slogan popped into my head: "it tastes just like chicken!"

Dark meat or white meat? Open it up and check the source.

>3) Noting your last name and guessing that you're at minimum ethnically
>Jewish (at least in my experience, "-mann" is a suffix used in a Jewish
>name), I thought "what if Jeff were to walk up to his rabbi and ask out of
>the blue whether penguins were kosher?" ;-)

Religion has a big part in the SCO vs everyone debacle. In the past,
much of SCO management was Jewish. Now, the Church of Latter Day
Saints has taken over via the Utah connection. Despite my historic
criticism of SCO, I'm rather biased toward the former.

I'll ask the local rabbi if Penguin meat is kosher. However, since
there is a kosher cafe in New York named the "Penguin Cafe", methinks
it's highly likely to be kosher.
http://www.kosherdelight.com/NY16.htm

>4) Going back to the "Tux" factor, Linus Torvalds would probably be
>pleased to see the description of penguins as "super-aggressive" and that
>the brains of wild penguins are toxic ("you don't want to mess around with
>Tux's brains!").

The theory behind cannibalism is that one inherits the attributes of
whom one eats. We are what we eat. However, I usually don't eat the
brains of lower animals, which may explain why mine is still
functional. Besides, meat has way too much cholesterol. I have eaten
mammoth meat, which may explain my Neanderthal attitudes.

>5) Reading a little further, I realized that both of them were
>parody/humor sites. Three subsequent Google searches turned up no sites
>referring to human consumption of penguin meat, though there was one that
>incidentally referred to human consumption of the eggs and another
>documenting a humorous Boy Scout skit about eating penguin soup. (Thought
>I'd leave my post as-is and add this at the end so that everyone else can
>do a double-take, too! ;-) ) Thanks for the early morning chuckle, Jeff!

Warning: Never take anything I post seriously, including this warning.

I found several articles by and about polar explorers and shipwreck
victims who had been forced to eat penguin. The consensus is that
it's edible, but not very appitizing. Search Google for "penguin
meat". Amundsen ate seal and penguin meat (which contained enough
vitamin C to prevent scurvey). Fishermen in the Indian Ocean use
Penguin meat for crab bait. There is also an aparent decline in the
penguin population caused by the effects of ocean pollution.

http://www.discovery2001.co.uk/pelag...rep026152.html
"...tasted penguin meat but it had such a terrible taste that he would
rather not eat it."

Instead of boycotting all of SCO, may I humbly suggest you consider
boycotting attorneys, whom as a group, have never contributed to the
quality of any product.


--
Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
(831)421-6491 pgr (831)336-2558 home
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com AE6KS
jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us jeffl@cruzio.com

> Instead of boycotting all of SCO, may I humbly suggest you
consider
> boycotting attorneys, whom as a group, have never contributed
to the
> quality of any product.
>

Not true, they do a very good job of providing the butt to a lot
of jokes. A great many comedians have made a good living making
fun of lawyers.

In one of my favorite Dilberts, Dogbert is collecting signatures
for one of his plans. They ask him why law students only count
as 2/10's of a person. He said it doesn't drop to 0 until they
pass the bar. Off the topic, but I was reminded of it and
thought I would share.

Justin

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 09:48:49 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
<jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
>Instead of boycotting all of SCO, may I humbly suggest you consider
>boycotting attorneys, whom as a group, have never contributed to the
>quality of any product.

First, I'll have to say that I enjoyed Justin's comments about attorneys.
Good going, Justin!

As for my boycott idea; even if someone were to take the ball and run with
it, I don't think the actual economic impact would be enough to hurt
anybody. But if McDonald's got upset that one of their IT vendors was
causing them bad press due to unethical business behavior (yes, I know
that's putting it extremely mildly), they could put a good bit of pressure
on SCO to straighten up and fly right.

In such an event, the SCO management would have to either re-evaluate
their hijinks or else by the nature of their response make it evident that
their plan all along had been to run the company into the ground--going
out with a bang, as it were. In such a case, punitive action by McDonald's
would be the fault of SCO's management--not McDonald's, not of anyone
taking part in a boycott, nor mine for suggesting the idea.

Hmmm. I wonder if McDonald's CIO has made contingency plans should SCO go
down the tubes and there be a lengthy time gap before a new vendor made
OpenServer available for new restaurants and was able to provide support
for the same.

================================================== =====================
I'm Mike--James' Dad, hence "JamesDad". I use this nym in memory of my
son James Webb (1992-2000) who died fighting leukemia. He was a greater
man at 8 than some ever become. May his life, battle and story never be
forgotten! More info at <http://www.themiraclekids.com/mem-james.htm>.
*** Remove ARROGANCE Before Replying ***

On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 00:06:17 GMT, JamesDad
<mewnewsARROGANCE@mailandnews.com> wrote:

>On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 09:48:49 -0800, Jeff Liebermann
><jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us> wrote:
>>Instead of boycotting all of SCO, may I humbly suggest you consider
>>boycotting attorneys, whom as a group, have never contributed to the
>>quality of any product.
>
>First, I'll have to say that I enjoyed Justin's comments about attorneys.
>Good going, Justin!
>
>As for my boycott idea; even if someone were to take the ball and run with
>it, I don't think the actual economic impact would be enough to hurt
>anybody. But if McDonald's got upset that one of their IT vendors was
>causing them bad press due to unethical business behavior (yes, I know
>that's putting it extremely mildly), they could put a good bit of pressure
>on SCO to straighten up and fly right.
>
>In such an event, the SCO management would have to either re-evaluate
>their hijinks or else by the nature of their response make it evident that
>their plan all along had been to run the company into the ground--going
>out with a bang, as it were. In such a case, punitive action by McDonald's
>would be the fault of SCO's management--not McDonald's, not of anyone
>taking part in a boycott, nor mine for suggesting the idea.
>
>Hmmm. I wonder if McDonald's CIO has made contingency plans should SCO go
>down the tubes and there be a lengthy time gap before a new vendor made
>OpenServer available for new restaurants and was able to provide support
>for the same.

In my opinion, SCO are the suicide bombers of the IT industry. They've
"committed"; the company as a whole is screaming downward in a
kamakazi dive with our dear friend Darl grinning insanely behind the
cockpit windscreen. Sadly for the rest of the company, the vendors and
their marks... oops, I mean "customers" ;-) only Darl and the rest of
the "in crowd" have the golden parachutes to save their worthless
asses.

Personally I can't wait for IBM to finish lancing the boil of SCO from
the ass of the software world, and have done with them. In my opinion,
their products stink (though Bela and co no doubt try to keep up with
other OS', they have the burden of a dwindling development team and
funds diverted to the legal departments), their company is nothing but
an oozing pustule of sleeze, stock dumping and insider trading. SCO
are everything that's wrong with "corporate America" (aka,
professional back-stabbing) in one bubbling cesspool. The sooner these
filthy, criminal scumbags are washed down the drain, the better for
everyone.

There, I've said it.

--
FyRE < "War: The way Americans learn geography" >

Scott Burns <scott@mirrabooka.com> wrote:
>JamesDad wrote:

>>If running McDonald's cash registers is their big (legitimate) cash cow,
>>why isn't anyone promoting a boycott of McDonald's? I'm sure there are
>>enough Linux geeks who regularly eat there to at least raise a big stink,
>>whether or not there are enough (even with friends and family) to put a
>>dent in Mickey D's bottom line. I've had thoughts of doing so myself,
>>except that it would be hypocritical--I very rarely eat there anyway. I'm
>>more of a Krystal/Hardee's/Burger King/Checkers kinda guy myself.
>>
>>
>>
> I'd happily boycott McDonalds, except I've been boycotting them for
>four and a half years already because of their ANZAC day adds...

> I must admit a certain glee when I found out that they ran SCO...

I doubt McDonalds would notice or care.

I rarely eat there, but even if I were one of the more rabid here,
I'm not going to pass up lunch if I'm hungry and the other choice
is Joe's Greasy Spoon.

--
tony@aplawrence.com Unix/Linux/Mac OS X resources: http://aplawrence.com
Get paid for writing about tech: http://aplawrence.com/publish.html