Comments on: Linux violates 235 Microsoft patents

By: Wizard Prang

Wizard Prang — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:49:00 +0000

>> Until then, it is an “enthusiast” operating system relegated to those who like configuring hardware manually and using command lines. > Linux nuked [m]y existing Vista install and corrupted the boot loader

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:05:25 +0000

Wow man… If you’re going to blog about “PC and lifestyle technology” the least you can do is actually give it a college try. Clearly you didn’t follow any instructions either in the installer or online….because there are lots. Do a search on Google for “linux vista dual boot” for crying out loud..

I have to wonder what would have happened the other way around if you had Linux installed and tried to install Vista. Oh yeah, actually I do know what would happen. It would nuke the Linux boot loader without nary a word of warning!

Sheesh…

By: Clifton Hyatt

Clifton Hyatt — Tue, 15 May 2007 13:14:00 +0000

“Linux patent violations/risk of being sued” struck a chord with US and Swedish respondents. Seventy-four percent (74%) of Americans and 82% of Swedes stated that the risk of being sued over Linux patent violations made them feel less favorable towards Linux. This was the only message that had a strong impact with any audience.
…
The discussion of IP rights needs to be tied to concrete actions.”

Sep. 02 – Excerpt from “Halloween VII”

Mar. 03 – SCO files lawsuit against IBM alleging IP violations in Linux

Oct. 03 – Microsoft is implicated in funding SCO “Halloween X”

By: Clifton Hyatt

Clifton Hyatt — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:47:17 +0000

These are highlight excerpts from “Halloween II” the second leaked Microsoft internal document.

This was authored in *1998*, when Linux really *was* hard to use.

*Linux represents a best-of-breed UNIX, that is trusted in mission critical applications, and – due to it’s open source code – has a long term credibility which exceeds many other competitive OS’s.

* Most of the primary apps that people require when they move to Linux are already available for free. This includes web servers, POP clients, mail servers, text editors, etc

* An advanced Win32 GUI user would have a short learning cycle to become productive [under Linux].

* I previously had IE4/NT4 on the same box and by comparison the combination of Linux / Navigator ran at least 30-40% faster when rendering simple HTML + graphics.

* Long term, my simple experiments do indicate that Linux has a chance at the desktop market …

* Consumers Love It.

* Linux’s (real and perceived) virtues over Windows NT include: Customization … Availability/Reliability … Scaleability/Performance … Interoperability …

* Linux is emerging as a key operating system in the nascent thin server market

* Using today’s server requirements, Linux is a credible alternative to commercial developed servers in many, high volume applications.

* The effect of patents and copyright in combatting Linux remains to be investigated.

* Note, however, that Compaq and Dell merely have to credibly threaten Linux adoption in order to push for lower OEM OS pricing.

By: Clifton Hyatt

Clifton Hyatt — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:25:28 +0000

Halloween Documents

By: Clifton Hyatt

Clifton Hyatt — Tue, 15 May 2007 12:22:39 +0000

Jonathan,

Have you ever read the “Halloween Documents”, leaked Microsoft documents relating to their thoughts and strategies on Open Source?

There are 11 in total spanning 1998 to 2004, and these are Microsofts *real* thoughts on Linux, Apache, the GPL, rather than the drivel they issue in press releases and statements to the press and industry.

If not, you might find them interesting.

regards

By: Clifton Hyatt

Clifton Hyatt — Tue, 15 May 2007 11:55:32 +0000

Jonathan,

That was lucid, thoughtful and even considerate blog entry,

Thanks for that, even if you are still confused about how easy Linux is.

;)

By: Pats

Pats — Tue, 15 May 2007 06:25:59 +0000

I have had the experience of using both Microsoft’s XP/2k and Linux (personally prefer openSuSE) – Jonathan, I think what you are trying to convey is that unlike MS-XP,2K,Vista – Linux may not be ready for most people (usually the term used -”an OS my grandma is comfortable with”). I agree with you about most aspects of what you say – but then this is a constantly evolving OS – Compare Linux today to Linux say about 4-5 years ago – it has evolved much more quickly, with a greater degree of stability than MS-XP has. I personally was most comfortable with Win-2K – It was the flavour used in my office till we all got IBM machines preloaded with WinXP.

I use SuSE at home – and I find my usage almost as comfortable and satisfying as WindowsXP. If I have to buy a machine with an OS preloaded, frankly I would prefer SuSE to Microsoft – the things I have heard about Vista (especially relating to DRM protection … ) make me hesitant in investing in the same. I will be picking up a laptop shortly – I would actually rather have spend the extra dollars on better hardware than Vista ;).

Of course, there is a good chance that i might just have Vista preloaded – but even so, I would probably switch to SuSE – getting a tad too comfortable with it.

By: Jonathan Schlaffer

Jonathan Schlaffer — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:19:07 +0000

I said desktop in the context of home users… if you are Google, a government agency or a corporation then you can afford to hire people to deal with installing Linux or deal with installation problems.

Linux is a server OS, no argument from me on that point but again, I said desktop OS not server.

By: Lordshipmayhem

Lordshipmayhem — Mon, 14 May 2007 19:01:57 +0000

Yes, Linux is only for hobbyists – Google, the Life Insurance Company of India (70,000 desktops), Citroen (20,000 desktops), the City of Munich, the Government of Japan. It’s not for serious organizations.