Why do so many users in economically emerging countries seek out pirated versions of Windows and Office when a Linux distro is free?
I’m not interested in a discussion of the technical merits of either OS. I’m not interested in the pros and cons of the development models. I’m not interested in the moral values involved in the respective business practices. For purposes of this discussion I’ll concede open source is superior in each of these areas.
Having conceded these points, we’ve all seen the questions asking how to crack the license keys on Microsoft products. Can anyone explain the appeal the apparent demand for questionably legal MS products when free (and for purposes of this converation, superior) alternatives exist? Lack of awareness of the alternatives? Buy in to the MS brand name and marketing? Peer pressure?
Edited to remove a link to an example later correctly deleted as spam.