Amazon: Linux Saved Us Millions

Ian_Bailey writes: "ZDNet news presents another chapter in the Windows vs. Linux debate. Amazon.com claims that by switching to Linux, they were able to "cut technology expenses by about 25 percent, from $71 million to $54 million."" Lots of little bits in there. Nothing really new, but it's still nice.

does this meen

[MindTree]

Doest this meen that I'm allowed to like amazon again?

Extra, Extra, Read All About It!

[ekrout]

Breaking news just off of the wire -- A free operating system costs less than an operating system that you have to pay for! (Yes, I'm being fecetious (sp?))

fecetious?

[Pope]

Full of shit? :)

You mean facetious. [dictionary.com]

A classic example of speaking out of one's arse.

[malkavian]

With Linux, customers "end up being in the operating systems business," managing software updates and security patches while making sure the multitude of software packages don't conflict with each other," Miller said. "That's the job of a software vendor like Microsoft."

Ok, so, how does Microsoft make things that much easier than apt-get?
On that command, on a debian box, I can quite happily make sure that my system is at it's best.
All done, configured, sorted, working dependancies etc...
This seems much easier than going to the MS website, hunting down all the latest upgrades, installing patches for all the seperate bits and pieces, having patches for one app kill half the rest, and ending up with your MS box in tatters...
Really, this FUD is old hat by now... I wish they'd get a little more creative, and actually do a little research for once...

Malk

Re:quote of the day.

[rfsayre]

" you will pay in the long run"

Obviously, Microsoft's licensing scheme is far superior. With them, you pay throughout the short-term, the forseeable future, and even the long run. Basically, you'll constantly pay for your Operating System as well as any "service" you decide you need (Word, Excel). Sounds less like a utility and more like protection money.

Transcript of Amazon VP meeting

[GreenCrackBaby]

CEO: "Oh no. Slashdot people hate us for our patent of the one-click."

Lackies: "Oh no! What can we do???"

CEO: "Let's tell them we switched to linux."

A little later on

CmdrTaco: "Amazon is great!"

Re:does this meen

[grytpype]

[Checking the minutes of the Slashdot/GNUTard Illumnati...]

Yes. You are now allowed to like Amazon. Their endorsement of Linux is deemed to make up for their earlier insolence regarding their patents.

Selah.

- Grytpype, Deputy Poobah of the Penguin Pee

Is it just me...

[supabeast!]

or would this carry more weight if it was a company that had a reputation for MAKING money?

Re:Linux vs MS? Nope, Linux vs. Sun!

[tyrr]

This is why they saved only 25%.
If they were switching from MicroSoft the savings would be in hundreds.

Re:does this meen

[BLAMM!]

At least it does until they try to patent the use of Linux for on-line commerce.

news at eleven

[infinite jester]

when i read this...

Amazon's disclosure could provide hard data for Linux proponents who have long argued that the open-source software can save corporations money over the Microsoft alternative. A Microsoft representative, however, warned that short-term savings seen by Amazon could turn into a long-term increase in costs.

... my first thought was that amazon's "long-term increase in costs" was going to come not from an inadequacy of linux, but rather by bill gates snatching up barnes-n-noble with a few billion of his pocket change and cutting off amazon's air supply... more realistically, look for a news item like this one in the coming months:

Microsoft spokesman Jim Cullinan denied today that the software giant was responsible for a series of errors that has cost online reseller Amazon millions in freight charges and plenty of ill will from thousands of its customers. "Microsoft competes vigorously and fairly. We are sorry that Amazon has chosen to compete in the courtroom rather than through innovation in the marketplace. We look forward to making our case at trial," Cullinan said.

Amazon charges that in the most recent upgrade to Microsoft's popular Internet Explorer browser, new "Autodecide" and "Autopurchase" features are adding unwanted items to Amazon customers' virtual shopping carts. In one alleged case, a purchaser who had sought to buy only a Smashmouth CD from Amazon.com ended up with $600 worth of Microsoft Press titles charged to her VISA account. In another case, a man received a dozen copies of Bill Gates' book Business @ The Speed of Thought [barnesandnoble.com] with his Dr. Doolittle II video purchase.

"Autodecide and Autopurchase are two innovative new features that we innovated in the new Explorer upgrade," said Cullinan. "We added these innovative functions in response to overwhelming customer demand for innovation." He added that "we have compelling video evidence that the Amazon.com website is not fully compliant with W3C standards. Microsoft cannot be held responsible for any incompatibilities between our innovative Explorer browsers and Amazon's noncompliant site. Amazon's charges are completely baseless and without substance, and we think that we will win on the merits of this case."

No one from Amazon could be found for comment. Police are investigating their disappearance.

My company would save by switching to Linux...

[brlewis]

...except Amazon just filed a business method patent on it.

Re:quote of the day.

[Micah]

Microsoft: "Use Windows instead of Linux. It's guaranteed to produce more revenue!"

IT Guys: "So how is Windows guaranteed to produce more revenue for our business?

Microsoft: "Oh, suddenly this is about your business."

...adapted from a Dilbert strip...