High Plains Thumper on Wednesday :
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080401/ap_on_hi_te/linux_pcs;_ylt=AmMkrzVz2.r6AtxNXqhj8RJk24cA
or http://tinyurl.com/2gjkgm
[quote]
Time is right for Linux PCs to emerge
By BRIAN BERGSTEIN, AP Technology Writer Tue Apr 1, 4:23 PM
ET
BOSTON - The free Linux operating system handles big tasks
like running supercomputers and ATMs. Now Linux has a chance
to finally crack Microsoft Corp.'s hold on computing's most
visible domain — mainstream PCs — because of the rise of
innovative, inexpensive machines.
<....>
Business computing suppliers are finding open-source
desktops especially gaining traction in cost-conscious
developing markets. For example, a PC distributor in Eastern
Europe is packaging software from IBM Corp. and Linux vendor
Red Hat Inc. to create Microsoft-free desktops for that
market.
One buyer is Aleksandar Spagnut, a director of Moscow-based
Rushotel, which needed new desktop PCs for a hotel-building
project. Spagnut said his company saved 30 to 35 percent
over comparable Windows machines. He added that Linux PCs
are now common enough that a snowball effect is emerging,
whereby technical support and "drivers" — which essentially
tell programs how to interact with hardware — are much
easier to find.
"This really makes the difference," he said.
[/quote]
It speaks mainly about the low-end machines, but not much
about the smartphones, various devices and supercomputers
where Linux puts Windows to great shame. Of course, Microsoft
knows all of this and that's why it fears Linux so much (an
article showed this about a year ago, but I can't think
how/where to find it now).
Failing to compete, muck raking is all Microsoft will have
left. Rigging votes, astroturfing, intimidation, protection
rackets, etc.
The above are signs that Microsoft's days as dominant on the
desktop (the only area where it succeeded) are numbered.
Just watch the company reaching out for a loan:
Microsoft says to borrow money for Yahoo deal
,----[ Quote ]
Microsoft Corp said on Monday it may borrow money for the
first time in its history to fund a portion of its $44.6
billion unsolicited offer for Yahoo Inc.
`----
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUSN0455692920080205
With the Web (Live), Windows Mobile, XBox, Zune and so many
other products losing literally $billions, it's hardly
surprising that Microsoft is running low on cash. It can't
even fight copyrights infringement (Windows, Office) in the
vast majority of the countries because that would drive more
people to GNU/Linux, which takes 20 minutes to install on
/existing/ hardware (unlike Macs).
