Novell Expects Vista to Spur Linux Adoption 444
It doesn't come easy writes "According to the Register, Novell expects the cost of upgrading to Vista will encourage many companies to turn to Linux instead. From the article: 'Jack Messman, chief executive of networking software vendor Novell says that 2006 will see widespread adoption of Linux on the corporate desktop. According to Messman the catalyst will be the release of Microsoft Windows Vista and the high costs associated with upgrading. Obviously, if they're right Novell hopes that turn will be toward SUSE Linux.'" We touched on this issue late last month, as well.
Also (Score:2, Interesting)
I agree with this... (Score:3, Interesting)
From TFA... (Score:4, Interesting)
Just like 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001...
The real problem is (still) lack of applications and games. My home PC can't switch until Dreamweaver and Photoshop run on Linux. My office PC can't switch until Quickbooks and VersaCheck run on Linux. Honestly, I've seen more Windows->Mac and Linux->Mac migrations than anything else these past few years... and little to no evidence that shows that Linux is gaining popularity on desktop PCs, other than these "wishful thinking" articles from Linux company CEOs.
Something else to think about: The upgrade cost to Vista, for most companies, is effectively $0 because it comes with new PCs. Contrast this with yearly application updates for Photoshop, Quickbooks, anti-virus, anti-spyware, et al. which can run thousands of dollars. Microsoft isn't the only cost center on a typical PC; in fact, I'd say they're one of the smallest costs involved with a typical office PC.
Why Microsoft Wins... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:I agree with this... (Score:2, Interesting)
So much more simple
Linux migration already huge (Score:1, Interesting)
We've hesitated about Linux for the longest time but we simply can't afford to take the risks associated with Windows anymore e.g. someone breaking into our systems or a virus infestation that wipes out our data. Linux is just a better platform in terms of security, cost efficiency, etc. It is working great for us and we are highly satisfied with it.
somewhere in between (Score:3, Interesting)
In reading the posts I'm seeing extremes of the continuum: those who say yes, this is finally the straw that bows the camel's back; and those who say, yeah, like they said last year, and the year before, blah, blah, blah.
I think reality is somewhere in between. Yes, Microsoft continues to hold sway in their dominance and yes, every time they make a new release (less and less often, by the way) the silence of people rushing to linux is deafening.
But there is ample evidence of chinks in Microsoft's armor and a soft underbelly starts to show. Consider the high profile of large customers lately deciding to at least pressure Microsoft by making public their decision or pseudo-decision to go with open source alternatives (consider MA, and some foreign countries).
Historically no company can dominate forever, and eventually I think critical mass will be achieved and linux will gain the foothold and purchase it probably deserves. At least I hope so. I used to be gungho in my knowing linux would waltz over Microsoft but I know better now. It's more complicated, and Microsoft is a juggernaut and will be difficult to knock from the top of the hill.
Be patient, be faithful, Linux has legs and is learning to walk.
Re:News? (Score:2, Interesting)
I use linux daily and enjoy it, but is it really ready for your standard mom-and-pop windows users anyways?
More like: (Score:2, Interesting)
This sounds like a marketing fabrication. Everybody knows that the release of Vista will not increase Linux adoption. The release of the first Vista virus is what will do that.
Re:Less Functionality? (Score:1, Interesting)
This is a truly brilliant marketing strategy, which will ensure great success.
For Microsoft.
It may be a great sales pitch for PHBs (pointy haired bosses, ala Dilbert) but it won't win Linux friends and admirers among the cubicle-slaves. It could even have the effect of placing Windows as "the system that lets you do things" as opposed to Linux "the system that the fascist pigs forced on us."
If this really represents Novell's mindset, their presence in the Linux market is not a good thing.
Re:Self-fullfilling Prophecy (Score:1, Interesting)
Sitting on a comftorable couch with a controller in hand playing videogames on the TV is something that I hadn't done since my Atari 2600 and NES days. I had completely forgotten how much fun consoles really are. So anyways, I didn't need windows for games anymore and I installed Linux on my main machine and haven't looked back. I am very happy with my decision.
My point is that if you are staying on windows just for games then I highly recommend picking up a game console to fulfill your gaming needs. Consoles rule and I think that too many people have forgotten this.
Re:I hate to say it, but... (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:News? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:I agree with this... (Score:5, Interesting)
The amount large companies spend on support contracts dwarf what they spend on actual licenses. When your running Windows you can get a contract which will guarantee a support time of under two hours.
The other part is how to manage it and deploy it. Things like ActiveDirectory, which are a pain in the ass, but they provide one complete, integrated location to go to for managing everything. I know you can setup the same thing in Linux but it takes ALOT longer, because you have to do everything manually.
Those two points are what keep companies from adopting Linux. Linux needs reliable support from big names, Novell is stepping up here, but they still aren't IBM. As for the management system, I have no idea, I have yet to find a system that will handle users, desktop lockdown, applications management/deployment/permissions, etc. from one, central, automated location. Even Apple has managed to create a system to do this (I manage an OS 9/OS X/Windows mixed environment).
(NOTE: By automated I mean, I change the desktop lockdown settings and every computer changes instantly. And adding more desktops is as simple as choosing a setting like "Managed by Server: lmanage.internal.company.org")
Re:We tried rolling out Linux (Score:1, Interesting)
This has all the signs of a troll, and a spamming one at that. You've probably exceeded your Breidbart Index across all these forums.
Re:Why Microsoft Wins... (Score:3, Interesting)
It isn't that Micro$oft can't compete with open standards, but that it won't. Open standards allow you to use whatever you want, and Bill the Gates can't stand that. He wants you locked in with proprietary closed standards so that you have no choice but to buy and use his programs.
Re:what makes vista special? (Score:4, Interesting)
However, what is so special about this upgrade to Vista compared to when the whole upgrade-o-rama for XP and 2000 respectivly? Since a good portion of Vista features are being backported to XP, this is even less of an incentive to upgrade.
Re:Goodbye C#, Hello C++ and GTK? (Score:1, Interesting)
I can't believe you consider VB spoiling. It's horrible! It has no power!
Real upgrades (Score:1, Interesting)
You have obviously never seen a Winblows upgrade at a Fortune 500 company. Novel, actually does have good package management, even for Windoze, with their Zen system. The problem is that the Windoze registry requires most applications to be installed from scratch. The net result is gangs of low grade techs running to and spending about 1 hour on each and every PC in the building. That hour includes time spent on the inevitable 20% of systems that are so virused up that nothing works on them. Grid and cluster computing show that the free software world mastered moving software to hundreds of PCs automatically decades ago. Upgrades away from Windoze will end the package management nightmare forever. Companies that don't move on will continue to suffer high costs and low reliability.
The case has already been proven by companies like Chrysler, Lowes, and on and on that have ended their Windoze nightmare. They are not going back and the rest of the world is running right behind them.
Winblows is finally over.
Re:huh? why? (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:I agree with this... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Goodbye C#, Hello C++ and GTK? (Score:4, Interesting)