As part of his keynote address on Sunday at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, Gates showed off Windows Home Server (more info at Ars) - a consumer device to serve as a central storage place for digital photos, music and other media. The first products are due out later this year from HP and others. The goal is to get devices that can cost less than USD 500. In the first of a two-part interview, Microsoft's chairman talks about why the average person wants a server, why they won't need a degree in computer science to run it and what hurdles remain before consumers reach the true digital home.
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Member since:2005-07-06
Why wouldn't they be able to match usability and provide an easy setup? It's not rocket science.
I know you're a die-hard MS supporter, but that doesn't change the fact that MS has a hard time penetrating new markets, and if there's any interest in this kind of device, it's only a matter of time before competitors jump in.
It may not be rocket science, but it doesn't always happen. Look at MCE vs similar solutions. How many competing solutions are marketed so the average user actually knows they're available? How many are available as a packaged product that allows the user to get started with minimal configuration? Many advanced users who have used competing products for their free cost of acquisition and/or tweakability have either switched completely to MCE or chosen it as the system they use for their family, in part, because it was less hassle, well integrated, and well supported. The same factors will apply to WHS vs its competition.
Member since:2005-07-02
MCE has nothing on set-top box like TiVO and other PVR devices used by cable companies.
Many more people have TiVOs than MCE (even if they're not exactly the same thing). Using MCE as a "success story" is not a very strong argument.
Many advanced users who have used competing products for their free cost of acquisition and/or tweakability have either switched completely to MCE or chosen it as the system they use for their family, in part, because it was less hassle, well integrated, and well supported.
You have absolutely no proof to back that statement up.
The fanboyism on this page is reaching new heights of hipocrisy.
Member since:2006-06-24
I know you're a die-hard MS supporter, but that doesn't change the fact that MS has a hard time penetrating new markets,
It's not a new market though is it? It's an extension of a market that they pretty much own; home users. Can't see how a Linux-based solution is going to get around that. If Linux was making any headway on the home desktop, then it would have a chance.
Member since:2005-07-02
It's an extension of a market that they pretty much own; home users.
No, it's an extension of a market where they are just one of many players: servers.
Can't see how a Linux-based solution is going to get around that.
That's because your pro-MS bias is keeping you from seeing the big picture: it doesn't matter what the NAS device runs. All it needs to do is communicate with the Windows clients, and guess what? Linux already does that.
If Linux was making any headway on the home desktop, then it would have a chance.
That's completely irrelevant. Note that such a NAS device doesn't even have to run Linux. It could run one of the BSDs, or Solaris (or even OS X if Apple decided to put one out). Of course, using a FOSS OS would mean lower costs for the manufacturer, increasing profits (and providing stiff competition for MS).
What do you think runs all those Linksys hardware routers you find everywhere? That's right. Linux.
Thanks for playing.
Member since:2005-06-29
Actually TMK Linux is already here... Your DVR, your network storage device and your router are somewhat likely to be running a customized linux.
It's just not there by branding, which is what Microsoft is shooting for. Linux, instead, is hidden behind the brand. Also, these devices are only now beginning to get popular.
And Microsoft wants you to buy general pc hardware to do this instead of custom hardware for the job (usually designed to only do what's needed and nothing more for cost purposes where Microsoft likely hopes to beat the prices by simple mass production driven by mass marketing and strong brand support).
Member since:
2005-07-02
Functionality is only part of the solution. If they can't match usability and provide a packaged product that's easy to setup, and that people actually know is available, WHS still wins.
Why wouldn't they be able to match usability and provide an easy setup? It's not rocket science.
I know you're a die-hard MS supporter, but that doesn't change the fact that MS has a hard time penetrating new markets, and if there's any interest in this kind of device, it's only a matter of time before competitors jump in.