Great - in January, you'll be buying PCs with Linux installed (saving money on Windows) and then you can install XP on that PC - no junkware to remove with a fresh install. MS will have more and more people exploring linux as that will come on their PC slowly eroding some of their market share - Bill could be strict but he was very smart - Balmer just has momentum (partially from his girth).
Awwww, look at the cute little Linux boy. Mommy told him 8 years ago, and every year since, that this was "The year of Linux", and he believed her (just like when she told him that he was a handsome little boy). And you still have not broken the 5% marketshare yet. Don't worry I am sure that next year will be "The year of Linux" (snicker).
"slowly" is right. I'm all for Linux as a complement to Windows, but surely you have to admit that none of the distributions are anywhere near mature enough to be distributed with a new PC to people who've grown up on Windows or Mac OS. When I have to spend 4 hours compiling various libraries to get my MP3 player synchronised I know that something isn't quite finished yet. Until there is a seamless graphical interface for absolutely everything in the OS it just isn't ready for mainstream consumption, and right now that's not the case with any of even the friendliest Linux distros.
He still has a good point that this creates opportunities for other operating systems. And if there's more interest, there will be more development. It's obvious now that there is a big market of people who are frustrated by bad quality Microsoft software who can't afford (current) Macs.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
boe @ Sep 21st 2007 5:05PM
Great - in January, you'll be buying PCs with Linux installed (saving money on Windows) and then you can install XP on that PC - no junkware to remove with a fresh install. MS will have more and more people exploring linux as that will come on their PC slowly eroding some of their market share - Bill could be strict but he was very smart - Balmer just has momentum (partially from his girth).
stephenbratz2 @ Sep 21st 2007 5:30PM
Awwww, look at the cute little Linux boy. Mommy told him 8 years ago, and every year since, that this was "The year of Linux", and he believed her (just like when she told him that he was a handsome little boy). And you still have not broken the 5% marketshare yet. Don't worry I am sure that next year will be "The year of Linux" (snicker).
TeddyN @ Sep 21st 2007 6:21PM
That was harsh. Boe didn't make any of the allegations of which you accuse him.
gee @ Sep 21st 2007 6:00PM
No one buys Linux. Linux for the average user at Starbucks or Stickam is never going to happen. Never going to happen linux fanboys!
Charles @ Sep 21st 2007 6:07PM
gee - "No one buys Linux"
Yes, that's because it's free!
jason51873 @ Sep 21st 2007 6:15PM
LOL @ stephenbratz2
Your a joke dude...
Jesse S @ Sep 21st 2007 6:48PM
Actually, aren't there some loonics distributions that are charged for?
Ummm...Red Hat? I don't really know, I haven't used Linux in years...
Greg Poole @ Sep 22nd 2007 9:18PM
"slowly" is right. I'm all for Linux as a complement to Windows, but surely you have to admit that none of the distributions are anywhere near mature enough to be distributed with a new PC to people who've grown up on Windows or Mac OS. When I have to spend 4 hours compiling various libraries to get my MP3 player synchronised I know that something isn't quite finished yet. Until there is a seamless graphical interface for absolutely everything in the OS it just isn't ready for mainstream consumption, and right now that's not the case with any of even the friendliest Linux distros.
BAS @ Sep 22nd 2007 4:39PM
He still has a good point that this creates opportunities for other operating systems. And if there's more interest, there will be more development. It's obvious now that there is a big market of people who are frustrated by bad quality Microsoft software who can't afford (current) Macs.