Gartner Says Linux PCs Just Used To Pirate Windows

LostCluster writes "CNET is reporting results from a Gartner Group report that claims 40% of desktop machines sold with Linux on them are being used to run pirate copies of Windows! The report goes on to say that this stat reaches as high in 80% in 'emerging markets', the same places that the stripped down lite version of Windows is being aimed at. Gartner's making a bold prediction that the number of machines sold as Linux desktops may eclipse the number of machines actually running Linux."

Shhhh!

[m00nun1t]

Don't tell anyone, but I'm using my Windows PC to run a pirate copy of Linux! I downloaded a copy from the internet and didn't pay a cent for it! Suckers...

Nah!

[laetus]

That would be like buying a Maserati and replacing its engine with that of a Ford Escort.

WTF?

[Too many errors, bai]

In other news, the Gartner Group is reporting an increase in hallucinogenic substance use among its employees.

Obligitory Windows Putdown.

[FalconZero]

"...Gartner's making a bold prediction that the number of machines sold as
Linux desktops may eclipse the number of machines actually running Linux."

Funny that. Its a bit like Windows if you take into account crashes - The
number of machines sold as Windows desktops is far greater than the number
of machines actually RUNNING Windows.

In other news

[Prince Vegeta SSJ4]

100% of PC's sold with Windows ME, run Pirated copie s of Windows 2000

In other news...

[upside]

Gartner finds Linux is not only a dangerous tool actively being used by terrorists to avoid detection, but a psychotrophic drug that causes terrorism, delinquency, malaria and AIDS.

Linux is also subverting good, honest children to criminal behaviour, communism and encouraging them to move to harder drugs such as Heavy Metal music. Not to mention occultism and role playing games.

Linux on an IBM mainframe is also less cost effective than Windows on a dual Xeon! Quick, in the Holy name of Redmond, call a priest and bring out the holy water!

Re:Not enough statistics to go on

[Anonymous Coward]

No the trouble is that Gartner is simply making crap up and pulling it out of their arses this time.

Sorry, but sitting around and guessing this crap is bullcrap, and they know it. I want to see the hard data, the full poll data and other data they used to write the report.

I am betting that either they bought 10 linux pc's and themselves installed windows on 4 of them to make up that tidbit (and when does 40% mean a majority?)

Gartner = a complete joke in the corperate world anyways, the director of Sales here points that out on a weekly basis to everyone.

Dodgy figures

[lukestuts]

I'm a bit sceptical about that 40% figure - I'd say it was closer to 2 in 5.

Slashdotters working for Gartner?

[Bull999999]

In emerging markets, where desktop Linux enjoys wider popularity, the trend is even starker. Around 80 percent of the time, Linux will be removed for a pirated copy of Windows

Making wild accusations without backing it up with a solid proof because of remote possibilities... When did slashdotters start working for Gartner?

Re:Wow

[argent]

Gartner used to be a respectible organization

When was this?

Re:Yeah, but...

[ch-chuck]

Especially if they still have those little Mfst license stickers on the case - I have several old machines like that running PC *nix. It's like rescuing delinquent youth from a life of street crime and giving them an education and honest, meaningful employment.

Re:That's preposterous!

[SilentChris]

"How is that any different from what the average Slashdotter does?"

We complain about it more. Next question.

Yeah, I admit it

[Anita Coney]

I buy Linux machines to reformat and install a warez version of Microsoft's Windows XP Starter Edition. Merely having product activation telling me how much I can upgrade my hardware was not draconian enough. I want an OS that also tells me how many programs I can open and what resolution I can use. Damn-it, freedom is overrated!

Re:And vice versa

[shane2uunet]

Exactly,

I just bought a new laptop from dell. Don't have the option to escape the MS tax on those, but I wiped that thing clean and threw linux on it.

Thanks to Redmond we have a culture that accepts spyware, pop-ups, and crashes as standard operating procedure.

Re:wow!

[Electrum]

just try getting a laptop without Windows

That's odd, my laptop [apple.com] didn't even have the option of coming with Windows.

Banned from buying PC components!

[OwlWhacker]

If Microsoft had its way, nobody would be allowed to buy separate PC components.

Well, what if somebody puts them all together and makes a PC? Then it wouldn't have an operating system, and you'd be a pirate.

I wonder what the other software companies will do to ensure that their software isn't pirated? Maybe you'll soon only be allowed to buy a PC if you buy a copy of Photo Shop (incase you pirate that).

Actually, when you buy a house, you may soon find that you are forced to pay for cable, incase you start using a descrambler illegally.

Man, things could really get expensive here!

Re:Wow

[hendersj]

Arguably, when they used to say things I agreed with.

piracy was bound to happen

[burnin1965]

It was bound to happen. PCs with Windows preinstalled are so readily available it was only a matter of time before people started buying Windows loaded PCs just so they could install a pirated copy of linux once they get the box home. . . oh wait. Nevermind.

burnin

Re:+1 Insightful

[Anonymous Coward]

Not after we demonstrate the power of these copyright terms. In a way, you have determined the choice of the rights that will be destroyed first. Since you are reluctant to provide us with the location of the P2P base, I have chosen to test these terms' destructive power...on your fair use rights.

Re:wow!

[instance]

Actually I think Gartner just knows that 3 == 5... for very large values of 3 and very small values of 5.

If I could short every moronic "market X will expand by {number over 300%} in the next 2 years!" prediction that Gartner produces, I'd be richer than Gates. Anyone who back-checks their predictions can't take these guys seriously. In this case, past performance is a predictor of future results.

Re:+1 Insightful

[hazem]

"Chairman Rosen, I should have expected you holding Holling's leash, I could smell your foul stench when I was brought on board."