Linux vs. Windows

An anonymous reader writes "Technology Review has a great article discussing how pretty, user-friendly Linux desktops, cheap machines sold at stores such as Wal-Mart, and the growth of useful free software like Open Office have made Linux a 'key business risk' for our friends in Redmond. The story notes that Linux's market share for desktop computers has already surpassed Apple's. Says the Open Source Initiative's Eric Raymond, 'The sinister plan for world domination is right on schedule.' All right!"

I am a Walmart shopper

[grunt107]

Will it always be a Microsoft Windows world?
The answer is: No - and Yes MS is like the 80s IBM - big kid on the block.
IBM gave up on DOS and had a pissing contest w/OS2 (and lost). But did not go away.
MS will eventually lose market share but will not go away

Testimonial: I have purchased a Walmart Microtel/JDS system (the cheapo). Only real problem was the winmodem which was not sensed from the factory or repeated re-installs. The RJ45 connection works fine.

Re:That's not a software giant, THIS is a ...

[Anonymous Coward]

WalMart didnt kill Lidl and Aldi when they tried to take on the German discounters on their home soil. Quite the opposite.

Story was debunked

[fname]

Well, not debunked so much as it far overstated Linux's market share vs the Mac. They were counting sales, so many PCs are sold with Linux but a pirated version of Windows quickly replaces it, etc. Looking at Google Zeitgeist shows that the Mac is still well into the lead for desktop usage(for now). Yes, I'm wearing my flame-resistant suit. Yes, I know there are other important measures. Yes, many people have dual installations of Windows/Linux. But the best, most unbiased measure of desktop usage I can think of is Google Zeitgeist. Anyone have other suggestions?

I suggest you read the one true site for Mac news, As The Apple Turns [appleturns.com]for a more well-reasoned analysis of the article. Scroll to the 3rd story.

Open Source Sizzles?

[werfele]

I don't understand the Open Source Sizzles [technologyreview.com] graph. It looks to me like market penentration, if I can call it that, goes from 2.8% in 2002 to 3% in 2003, after nearly doubling in the prior year. Doesn't that mean that market penetration is levelling off? I would think the extrapolation would put it at something like 3.5% in 2006, not 6%.

Re:Apple is still ahead

[YU Nicks NE Way]

As for your little tidbit about google, I suggest you check again - that's simply not correct.

Sorry to break it to you, but the GP is right, and you're wrong. Google Zeitgeist [google.com]

Re:Join the Revolution

[Anonymous Coward]

They're "supporting" Linux because it's better for them (ie cheaper).

No, they're supporting it becasue there's a demand from their customers that makes it profitable to sell Linux systems.

Walmart doesn't deal with anything that doesn't sell in significant volumes.

Re:Join the Revolution

[meme_police]

That's not quite true. Many rural folks still don't have internet access and their local WalMart has put all the mom and pops out of business.

Re:Apple is still ahead

[yamla]

From my EULA for Windows XP:

* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS.

The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the COMPUTER, provided you retain no copies, if you transfer the SOFTWARE (including all component parts, the media, any upgrades, this EULA and the Certificate of Authenticity), and the recipient agrees to the terms of this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also
include all prior versions of the SOFTWARE.

So, you are wrong. I am not entitled by my EULA to sell Windows XP separate from the computer. Furthermore, I cannot transfer it from one computer (say, a computer destroyed in fire) to another, new one.

Re:Join the Revolution

[Lshmael]

Actually, Wal Mart may be the only existing Megacorp that doesn't have some sort of hiden agenda(patents and stuff)... And the only one who don't think of getting more money from screwing customers, but instead aim for higher sales numbers...

That's because their business model is based on high sales instead of high profit margins. This allowed them to undercut K-Mart during their rise to promience, but has been detrimental in their fight against Target, which has managed to portray a public image of being classy with the same low prices as WalMart.

they are MUCH better than a lot of corporation in the sense they don't charge the customer, but pressure the distribution and manifacturing level

Yeah, WalMart's amazing. Just as long as you don't work [nytimes.com] for [nytimes.com] them [nytimes.com].