[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
[Sheflug] 90 days to freedom...................
>>>>> "Ross" == Ross Henderson <ros.h [at] virgin.net> writes:
Ross> i would like to think this is the opertunity Linux has been
Ross> waiting for.
Irrelevant, I should say. MS/App is probably at least a year from
delivering any major Linux app with even partial functionality, two or
more from delivering products with the functionality of KDE or GNOME,
let alone the current Windows environment. Eg, suppose they try to
port MS Outlook to Linux. The first thing that is going to happen is
that Linux sysadmins will try it, realize that the spew we always get
from MS systems is partly due to the MS MUA, and uninstall it to save
their own reps. The second thing is they'll post their opinions to
Slashdot.
The real effect of an MS breakup on Linux is at least partially
negative: more open source software types will target the necessarily
more open (compared to the past, not compared to Linux, of course)
Windows platform. This will draw resources away from Linux-oriented
development.
I really don't think this is specifically good for Linux. To continue
Richard's atheist theme, I remember when the Catholic Church decided
to start observing the Mass in the vernacular. There were lots of
shell-shocked atheists (not to mention Presbyterians) wandering around
looking lost---because they'd lost their Satan.
The point is, this breakup is intended to make Windows a more open
system, precisely the fundamental point of Linux from which most of
its attractive properties derive (stability, flexibility, etc). If
Linux responds by returning to fundamentals (see my post re 2.4-pre),
it will become stronger. If Linux decides this is a great opportunity
to invade MS territory and disperses its energy.... Just Say No! to
entropy.
Also, this could have the perverse effect of _increasing_ Windows
dominance in the market. From most business's point of view, what is
the biggest flaw in the Windows platform? It ain't the BSOD ... it's
the Microsoft lock-in. With that lessened, .... (I don't think this
likely, but it is not implausible.)
I foresee interesting times ahead.
--
University of Tsukuba Tennodai 1-1-1 Tsukuba 305-8573 JAPAN
Institute of Policy and Planning Sciences Tel/fax: +81 (298) 53-5091
_________________ _________________ _________________ _________________
What are those straight lines for? "XEmacs rules."
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sheffield Linux User's Group - http://www.sheflug.co.uk
To unsubscribe from this list send mail to
- <sheflug-request [at] vuw.ac.nz> - with the word
"unsubscribe" in the body of the message.
GNU the choice of a complete generation.