__/ [ Rex Ballard ] on Saturday 05 August 2006 04:43 \__
> Au79 wrote:
>> CoolTechZone.com - USA
>>
>> (Column) - Over the years, I've had a number of people asking me what I
>> believe the problem was with further migration over to Linux by the public
>> at large. ...
>>
>
<http://www.cooltechzone.com/Departments/Columns/Why_Linux_Has_Failed_Beginners_200608042419/>
>
> This is more Microsoft FUD.
>
> The fact is that Linux has a common core that is source code identical.
> The same source code is used or core components such as the kernel,
> glibc, and most of the X11 libraries.
>
> There are also custom interfaces, but it's a bit like the controls on a
> car. Some cars have the gearshift on the steering column, others have
> it on the floor. Would you be unable to drive an automatic
> transmission car because it had the shifter on the floor instead of on
> the wheel.
You sure favour the car analogies. Here you compare Linux to a car, whereas
many would argue that car analogies are bad for Linux, primarily owing to
manufacturing costs (in a different context for a different type of
argument).
> In the past, the biggest problem has been the inability to know which
> machines are "Linux friendly" and which are "Linux Hostile". Microsoft
> has tried very hard to create as much confusion as possible.
Perhaps someone can remind me why the Wi-Fi Linux compatibility list was
forced a removal, owing to Microsoft's involvement (it was there on Slapshot
, with proof). For a while, The Web Archive (Wayback machine) could still
bring up that page, but no more!
> In 1995, Linux could configure itself to most VLB based 80486 and
> Pentium machines.
> Microsoft created a different standard in which only Microsoft was
> supposed to know the exact codes for each type of PCI device. These
> codes were never made public. The Linux community had drivers, but had
> to figure out each of these codes.
>
> Last year, HP introduced an AMD-64 based computer, and it continued to
> hold value.
> Meanwhile the "Linux Hostile Machines" weren't selling. The prices
> collapsed. Machines initially offered for $1200 were selling for as
> little as $300 on clearance sales.
And eventually, inevitably, these were thrown out the Windows (pun). Machines
that restrict the owner are passed over without hesitance. There is /choice/
as far as vendors are concerned. But there still need to be some laws that
force inclusion of a sticker (or an alternative thereof) that indicates
compatibility with Linux. Here in the UK, this is already being done for DRM
(labelling), at least at a litigious or propsal level.
> This year, most of the "high end" machines are now optimized for Linux
> instead of Windows, and they are selling very well. They are still
> sold with Windows preinstalled, but can easily be upgraded to Linux.
>
> This growth has also been global. China, for example, has 120 million
> new internet users. Some countries now have as much as 40% of their
> users using Linux.
China forces all vendors to make their machines Linux-friendly, IIRC.
>> ....................
>> http://www.vanwensveen.nl/rants/microsoft/IhateMS.html
>
> Best part of the whole post.
Evidence of industry's destruction. Should be in print.
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