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Linux Software

Predictions On Linux Growth 23

Posted by CmdrTaco from the guesstimating-the-numbers dept.
irix sent us a link to an ABCNews Article on Linux's Growth. and says "I thought the predictions and overall analysis were pretty good coming from CNET. I was really amused to see a Microsoft banner ad on the top of the page :)"
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Predictions On Linux Growth More

Predictions On Linux Growth

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  • clickable url here ... (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward
    http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/CNET/cnet_ linux990331.html [go.com]

    This an ABC re-run of yesterday's CNET article which is re-write of the IDG press release posted a couple of days ago on slashdot.

  • It's all about marketing (Score:1)

    by Anonymous Coward
    and when all you care about is marketing, market share is GOD.

    This ABC news story is just another example of how MOST people out there don't really see what is happening with the whole "Linux Movement". They see this "newcomer" to the OS arena, and assume they can analyze it just like they do MS's OSs.

    The old method of determining a sofware product's worth was to see how much money it made for you. Money drove the whole product cycle and determined the program (OS, Word processor, etc) content.

    Along comes Linux and now the functionality of the OS is determined (mostly) by tech people/programmers who want the best and most stable code.

    It seems that these people need a new way of looking at Linux. Many people out there DO "get it", but many others don't. That is why I wouldn't flame ABC (or anyone else) for not presenting things right.

    You should convey what free software means to you rather than telling someone they suck and don't know what they are talking about. Try to realize first that you have a Good Thing. They don't. Invite them to take part of it-- by telling them what is so good about Linux rather them what is so BAD about them...

  • Agreed, but just I need to take just one little chink out of your argument :). When he was talking about needing the high level of expertise, I think he was talking about Linux getting more desktop/client support, since there's already an unreal amount of growth in the server market. Desktop/client people normally aren't sysadminny types of people :)
  • No, he quite clearly said "A Linux drawback on the server side," which means either he's either confused about what "server side" means, or he honestly thinks that sysadmins clicking and drooling their way through the day, letting the GUI solve all of the problems, is a Good Thing.

    The phrase "zero administation Windows" comes to mind.

    Yes, I do agree that you shouldn't have to be a sysadmin to use Linux, but in the business server world, NT is doing very bad things in allowing clueless people to play sysadmin by clicking buttons and not really knowing what's happening inside of the box. I pray that that culture doesn't find its way into Linux.

  • That is exactly how I came to try linux. A co-worker simply kept talking about functionality and stability he enjoyed with Linux. I, in turn, have piqued the interest of several friends by speaking the same way. Fear of having to learn new applications (for desktop PC use) seem to be what is holding most of my friends back. But this, too, shall pass. :)

    Andrew

  • Article? (Score:1)

    by W2L ( 20145 )
    Where did the article go?
    -----
    http://www.Windows2Linux.org [windows2linux.org] (Submit your Links)
  • http://www.abcnews.go.com/sections/tech/CNET/cnet_ linux990331.html
  • NT at 38% server market? Only M$ claims that.

    Maybe it's me, but my recollection was that NT
    & Linux were neck & neck at around 25% with Linux
    growing faster.

    Anybody with better numbers, or a source of where
    you got 'em, is invited to throw them in.
  • as if anybody with half a clue uses NT in an enterprise!
  • The IDC folks are only counting the number of Linux systems sold. What I'm wondering is whether this includes only those sold directly by Redhat, Caldera, etc., or whether they are also counting, say Debian shipments through LinuxMall, for instance. Anybody know?
  • This is a crock. I just installed win98 on my machine (it keeps the karma good with the game gods). The hoops I had to jump through were unbelievable. First, I have an old HP4020i CD. There aren't even win98 drivers for it. I had to go to the Advansys homepage and follow thier directions on how to edit the boot disk to get win98 to recognize the drive. That done, installation continued. It continued until the machine rebooted itself. First thing was that it wiped out my MBR. Ok, have to reinstall LILO, no big deal. Then it tried to load the drivers off of the cd that it couldnt read because the drivers for the cd are on the cd. Thats pure brillance.

    I had to reboot into Linux, (reinstalled LILO while I was there) and copied the cd to the hard drive. These guys are telling people that Linux doesnt support obscure device drivers? Thats insane. I can grab advansys.i and the drivers are already in the kernel.

    FUD pisses me off. The problem is that people trust the FUD throwers. There needs to be a forum where newbies or those interested can go and read the truth. ZDNet and others get a lot of exposure to the uninitiated that those who refute the pages don't. That needs to change.

    Wow, I'm really rambling. I'll shutup now.

  • actually, i really like the concept of Linux World Domination. as long as i never have to buy a $5000 proprietary Linux Premium Customer Support package that would be the only way to get full source code, then i'm happy.
  • who said the installation process for Linux is difficult? Redhat, Caldera, and Debian are EASIER to install than NT!

    IMHO, the installs for Redhat and NT are about at the same dificulty level. The problem most people have with installing Linux is that they need to know what hardware the have in their PC. Most people don't know. Also, the reason obscure devices don't have Linux drivers IS BECAUSE THEY ARE OBSCURE!!! Obviously, people have been become so obsessed with having everything done for them, that they will completly overlook the power and stability of the Linux Operating System in order to have a cute little "start" button. Hmmm... looks like Kusnetsky learned about computers by reading "Windows 98 for Dummies". Which by the way, is a very good title, because you'd have to be an idiot to PAY for that crap.
  • A Linux drawback on the server side is the high level of expertise needed to work with the platform, Kusnetsky said. "The level of expertise needed is very high, the installation process is not simple, nor is getting it to recognize all the devices, because obscure devices don't have Linux drivers

    Ok, first of all, the fact that you need to be knowledgable to run a Linux server is a Good Thing. Does this author think that sysadmins should not have a high level of expertise? Second of all, Linux has no problem whatsoever supporting server hardware. In fact, it probably supports more SCSI and RAID hardware than NT does. AND, who said the installation process for Linux is difficult? Redhat, Caldera, and Debian are EASIER to install than NT!

    I don't think this guy knows the difference between "Server" and "Home PC." Furthermore, he's been fed a load of FUD so thick you swim in it.

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