Why use Open Source when Microsoft products are so cheap... 10003

that OO can save in the .doc (MS-Word) format. You know that. I know that. Most people who will read this will know that. But does the history teacher who's been teaching history since 1976 know that? Will the law professor know that?"

You're confusing technical features with what consumers want. Believe it or not there is a lot more to a product than raw technical specs. If you think that something like a "name brand" doesn't matter then you're only fooling yourself. Why do people spend big $$$ on a set of designer jeans? At Starbucks are you paying for "just the coffee?" Does it really cost that much to make a $1500 designer dress or designer suit?

There is a lot more to product acceptance than just the product itself. How a product is marketed and perceived by the public is every bit (and possibly more) important than the product itself. This is why a tote bag from Coach costs about $300 while a tote bag from KMart costs $10 and many people wouldn't admit they bought it at KMart.

Do not under-estimate the power of marketing and name recognition.