Microsoft no longer thinks Linux poses a threat to its desktop Windows business.
Directions on Microsoft's Wes Miller pointed out via Twitter how Microsoft has changed the boilerplate "Competition" section in its last two annual financial filings with the SEC.
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Member since:2006-01-14
And yet Linux is everywhere. Linux is running on more hardware and devices than any other OS. The desktop market is rapidly changing and desktop and mobile environments merge.
I'll tell you what Linux gives me that I would kill for in Windows. Integrated updates. I build my fedora box, I have it up to date all the time, never have to screw with it. In Windows, 6 months after I install the software, I have to go hunt down new versions and reinstall it all. A few things auto update themselves, but not most.
Member since:2005-12-15
Member since:2010-09-23
I agree that unified update is missing on Windows. It is the one good thing about appstores and web-applications: They make people use new versions. (good for home, not always good for business, but let's not go to deep)
HOWEVER, just because Microsoft doesn't provide a nice tool for this, doesn't mean others don't! You (and every Windows user!) should check out http://ninite.com/
Basically, I run Microsoft Update to update all my Microsoft software and drivers and my own ninite.exe to update 90% of my other software. That basically leaves only Total Commander that I need to update manually and that is barely a "hunt" (http://ghisler.com/amazons3.php)
Member since:2011-03-18
"It's inferior, inconsistent and lacks any real unified direction."
There is no denying the lack of consistency however some consider this more of a strength than a weakness.
As for it being inferior, you are incorrect. Lower resource usage, multi user security model, modular drivers !> inferior.
Unfortunately you are correct with the lack of direction, it will keep Linux off the mainstream desktop forever.
Edited 2011-08-16 00:27 UTC
Why does Google get so much credit in the technology industry? Why, despite the company's many obvious failings, do many geeks and enthusiasts still hold a somewhat positive view on the all-knowing technology giant? A specific talk at Google I/O this week provides the answer.
OSNews is a sponsor of this year's O'Reilly OSCON in Portland, Oregon, USA. A lucky OSNews reader will win a free three-day pass, including two tutorials days. To win the pass, post a comment on this story saying something about Open Source Software or OSCON. We'll pick a winner at random next week. If you don't have an OSNews account, you may email us your entry. Part of the conference is the 9th annual Open Source Awards, and today the 16th is the deadline for nominations. If you'd like to nominate an outstanding open source contributor, do it here. Read on for more information about OSCON. Update: The 20% discount code for OSNews readers is "OSN."
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Almost exactly three years ago, I wrote about why OSNews was no longer OSNews: the alternative operating system scene had died, and OSNews, too, had to go with the times and move towards reporting on a new wave of operating systems - mobile, and all the repercussions that the explosion of smartphones and tablets have caused. Still, I was wondering something today: why aren't we seeing alternative operating systems on mobile?
Member since:
2005-12-15
MacOS is more a threat. Mobile computing is the future anyways. Linux desktops barely blip on the radar. It's inferior, inconsistent and lacks any real unified direction.