Comments on: Progress drives Linux, greed drives Windows Vista

By: Ctrl-Alt-Delete Windows

Ctrl-Alt-Delete Windows — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 23:32:26 +0000

Microsoft represents the “old” school of thought about software. Proprietary software business models have shown to be “out of touch” in regards to real user needs, besides lowering quality expectations for way too many people. The main driver in proprietary software is greed (make one product, sell it a million times). It’s in a way like pharmaceutical companies: if there’s no money on it, they won’t do it.
Lack of flexibility is another well known issue in proprietary software. The proprietary model doesn’t have any incentive to satisfy people needs, or provide good service, as long as people keep paying. It’s a pure monopolistic market model, even if it’s a small company.

By: Mark Bench

Mark Bench — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:50:40 +0000

To me the main problem is who owns the software. With a proprietary OS like Vista I’d have to pay for a license to use the software (kind of like “renting it” because it’ll never be truly mine). With open source, such as Linux, I could use it in perpetuity (forever) without any fear, or limitation (everybody owns it).
At this point, the price is completely irrelevant.

By: Tuxero

Tuxero — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 21:05:25 +0000

I think all future technology development relies on open-source operating systems.
I erased Vista from my brand-new Sony Vaio, and I use ubuntu for quite a while now.
Thanks!