Linux Opinions

Linux : Opinions : Linux on the desktop: An impossible dream?
Posted: ( Thu 31st May 2001 07:24:03[PM] UTC )
The real cost gap is in software--but, consumers don't really perceive this (yet). They don't realize that they've paid for the Windows operating system that's shipped with their computers. They do realize they haven't paid for the version of Office they're using-and that's because they know perfectly well that it's pirated. So Linux doesn't have much pull as yet. And it's not because the desktop environment is incomplete, or that there aren't enough applications, etc. It's because people haven't yet perceived that Linux is cheaper. But the pull picture is about to change. And that's because push is about to come into it. Big time

Linux : Opinions : Road building
Posted: ( Thu 31st May 2001 01:27:41[AM] UTC )
There are many questions about Linux that go unanswered because it would just take too long to do the research. Dennis E. Powell has done the research necessary to answer one of them.

Linux : Opinions : How much should a PC cost?
Posted: ( Thu 31st May 2001 01:01:22[AM] UTC )
"Much of the news that's crossed my desk this week raises the question: Are expensive computers dead? Some of it raises another question: Will low prices leave enough vendors standing to give us sufficient choice? And a whole high-tech industry (well, would-be industry) that's built on low-priced or free product--desktop Linux--is floundering. Where does this leave us? Right now, I think anyone seeking a general-purpose office desktop should budget around $800 (plus display); a high-performance PC, $1,500 (ditto)."

Linux : Opinions : Linux falls short of becoming a mainstream OS
Posted: ( Thu 31st May 2001 12:42:47[AM] UTC )
"I'm not as sanguine about Linux's prospects for mainstream business, except in specific cases. In the market where the technology can be substituted with little pain, Linux will find acceptance and carve out a strong niche. But the higher and broad-based markets (such as data centers and desktops) will remain beyond Linux's grasp," opines Michael Gartenberg.

Linux : Opinions : The windows are open and the light keeps shining in
Posted: ( Tue 29th May 2001 07:53:56[PM] UTC )
Graeme Philipson points to an Australian survey by the market-research firm Strategic Research and concludes that it's just a matter of time before Windows is truly everywhere -- with Linux not making a dent in the enterprise. He says, "You would think it was the Next Big Thing, and indeed it is attracting some support for marginal applications. But fewer than 1 percent of data centres intend to use it for serious applications."

Linux : Opinions : Free Software's Stallman strikes back at Microsoft
Posted: ( Tue 29th May 2001 07:12:43[PM] UTC )
In a speech at New York University's Stern School of Business, Richard Stallman defended the GPL against attacks from Microsoft minions. He took a few shots at Caldera, calling it "parasite" on the free-software movement. Stallman addressed everything from the distinctions between open source and GNU/Linux to his take on how Microsoft might be best broken up by the government, in the aftermath of the Department of Justice antitrust trial.

Linux : Opinions : HP exec: Linux will be desktop champ
Posted: ( Mon 28th May 2001 07:16:37[PM] UTC )
Dell Computer and other industry giants may be pessimistic about Linux's chances on the desktop, but HP executive and Linux veteran Bruce Perens believes the open source OS will still triumph in the end.

Linux : Opinions : The desktop is dead, long live the desktop!
Posted: ( Thu 24th May 2001 08:58:31[PM] UTC )
Linux on the desktop is dead. What a crock! How analysts can make such conclusions based on the fact that two companies had trouble selling it is beyond me. Linux didn't achieve its server success by relying on the success of its co-players. Why should anyone believe that the desktop should be any different? It was only a couple of years ago that these same analysts said Linux couldn't achieve a foothold in the server market, and look where we are now. Rome was not built in a day, nor was Microsoft. While Linux development is certainly fast, overnight results can't be expected. Get a grip folks. Don't let the facade being presented fool you. Linux is not dead. Linux has already won the desktop. Just that y'all don't realize it yet.

Linux : Opinions : Apple and Open Source: Two drinks that don't mix
Posted: ( Thu 24th May 2001 07:18:00[PM] UTC )
Apple has seemingly jumped on the Linux/OSS bandwagon twice. Each time they were applauded for their efforts by those communities who were glad to have such a big name tech company seemingly embrace them. But were these moves of real substance or merely PR fodder? What is the real truth behind Apple's open source initiatives?

Linux : Opinions : Where is the new Linux experience?
Posted: ( Thu 24th May 2001 01:55:22[AM] UTC )
"We need to be doing things differently. Linux needs to be a different experience, not a familiar one with a better kernel. People understand that Linux is free in many ways compared to Windows, but they need more than the financial incentive to switch. They need a new place to work, and a new outlook on things. When this starts happening, Linux will begin to take its place on the desktop," says Doug Dingus.

Linux : Opinions : RIP: Linux on the desktop
Posted: ( Tue 22nd May 2001 01:51:34[AM] UTC )
"OK, it's official: Linux on the desktop is dead. Oh, sure, the corpse is still kicking around a little, and there's some debate about whether the patient is officially dead. But all we're waiting for now is the official death certificate from the coroner. The recent death of Eazel, as well as Corel's inability to practically give away the desktop-oriented Corel Linux, are two strong indications that there isn't an acceptable rate of return on Linux desktop development. Instead of lamenting the past its time to recognize the amazing accomplishment of Linux's server market share and continue to build on that success," says Kevin Reichard.

Linux : Opinions : Algorithms in Africa
Posted: ( Tue 22nd May 2001 12:49:47[AM] UTC )
This article, written by a former foreign aid worker, addresses the issues surrounding bringing technology to developing nations as its starting point and moves on to discuss the specific usefulness of Linux in these instances. The author's decidedly lucid about the perils of promoting technology for its own sake. For people who've ever wondered what the story was behind vim's "help uganda" command, there's something interesting, too.

Linux : Opinions : How does the capitalist view Open Source?
Posted: ( Thu 17th May 2001 12:57:39[AM] UTC )
Open Source advocates are often embarrassed at the suggestion that their favorite type of software may be a socialistic phenomenon. Though they protest, many secretly fear it may be true. The sharing aspect of Open Source, its emphasis on community and its availability free of charge certainly sound like some form of Socialism. And Open Source doesn't lend itself easily to commercial exploitation. Is it anti-capitalist, then?

Linux : Opinions : How distributions can succeed (and help Linux take over the world)
Posted: ( Wed 16th May 2001 09:05:43[PM] UTC )
Do we buy Linux distributions because of what the distributors have done to Linux, or do we buy them to get a fairly standard Linux with particular installation tools and documentation? Dennis E. Powell argues for the latter, and explains why he believes that the less distributions do to Linux itself, the better it will be for users, for Linux, and for the distributions themselves.

Linux : Opinions : Saving Microsoft
Posted: ( Wed 16th May 2001 07:39:22[PM] UTC )
"What Microsoft needs is a way to continue expanding its business in the server operating system market while reducing its costs. And that is precisely the solution I have to offer. Microsoft needs to bring out a Linux distribution of its own. It’s the ideal way to slash expenses and boost profitability. Windows NT is an expensive dud. Microsoft should jump onto the open-source bandwagon with both feet. The stockholders will be dancing in the streets,"says J D Hildebrand.