The company expressed concern that to the extent its minority market share has caused software developers to question Apple's prospects in the PC space, developers could be less inclined to develop software for Apple products, and instead feel more inclined to devote their resources to developing software for the larger Windows market or growing Linux market. Here is the 10-K form in question.
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Member since:2005-07-06
What Rayiner, was doing was clarifying for yourself and others that there are software alternatives for those considering switching to Linux whether for private or enterprise. He actually did a very good job at explaining the various markets that can be successful switching to Linux. As for your comments about digital photos and syncing an iPod it's a clear indication that you're either ignorant when it comes to current Linux distributions and software or just attempting to spread FUD.
And it is pretty obvious that you've never ran your own business and actually consulted with end users; for these end users, their computer is a piece of equipment that is suppose to make themselves more efficient with the limited amount of time they have at their desposal each day.
It isn't about megabytes, gighertz, and so forth, its about setting up a computer as to allow them to complete with their work in the most efficient way possible - and I'm sorry, although I can do everything I want on a UNIX system, it isn't going to change the fact that Mary the secretary interests aren't on relearning skills, but getting her work done for her boss, as quickly and accurately as possible.
I'm sorry, if I went into one of my clients businesses and said, "lets throw all your Windows based software out the window, along with your skills, and retrain you to use Linux!" there would be a collective glance in my direction followed by a jocular laugh by all who heard - that wouldn't a decision based on a business case, that would be simple a knee jerk zealot reaction to the existance of Windows on the desktop.
Like I said in reply to another person here, it may suit YOU but for the vast majority of end users, it isn't a solution; when applications become available that are required, from the software vendors they purchase their software off, then sure, maybe they'll move, but until the software becomes available, the businesses will be for ever more wedded to their Windows machines.
Edited 2005-12-11 23:29
Member since:And it is pretty obvious that you've never ran your own business and actually consulted with end users;
Do you want to know what's blindingly obvious? You are completely bonkers and need help. Seek it out before it's too late. You are just flaling around using "arguments" that proves nothing or are downright bogus.
for these end users, their computer is a piece of equipment that is suppose to make themselves more efficient with the limited amount of time they have at their desposal each day.
right, but you forgot, "at the lowest cost". Mac doesn't fit in there, and Windows sure as hell doesn't after the virus, spyware and maintainence costs have been factored in.
It isn't about megabytes, gighertz, and so forth,
Who claimed it was? Totally a red herring.
its about setting up a computer as to allow them to complete with their work in the most efficient way possible - and I'm sorry, although I can do everything I want on a UNIX system, it isn't going to change the fact that Mary the secretary interests aren't on relearning skills, but getting her work done for her boss, as quickly and accurately as possible.
Are you claiming Mary the Secretary can't do mail from a linux box? Would she be so incompetent that she couldn't fire off a mail from kmail? Or write some letter in OpenOffice? You are seriously underestimating Mary. You are also completely forgetting what this article is about. It's *not* about how things are today, but potential threats that apple management sees in the *future*.
I'm sorry, if I went into one of my clients businesses and said, "lets throw all your Windows based software out the window, along with your skills, and retrain you to use Linux!"
First of all. If a company saw that it would be worth it, that's exactly what would happen. Secondly, nobody claimed that's how it would be, except maybe some overheated people that dreamed up "the year of the linux desktop". Thirdly, as I said above, you are seriously underestimating the "peons" (using your contempteous perspective). The transition from Windows to a linux desktop isn't nearly as painful as you try to make it seem, and probably not harder that switching from one version of Windows to another. Or are you saying that a Windows user would be more confused by switching to a KDE or Gnome desktop than they were from going from win3.11 to win95 or from 2000 to XP(with the lunatic theme)?
Like I said in reply to another person here, it may suit YOU but for the vast majority of end users, it isn't a solution;
True zealotry speaking. Tell me what *does* ordinary users need besides wordprocessing, webbrowsing, printing, email and plug and play with their digital cameras? I don't know any *ordinary* users that do much more than that on their computers, and if you think an ordinary user can't manage those tasks on a modern linux distribution you are raving mad. At worst it's no harder than it is in windows.
when applications become available that are required, from the software vendors they purchase their software off,
lalala, what magical software are we speaking of, for ordinary users? Games? It will come eventually, and is indeed already available to a greater extent than people realize.
then sure, maybe they'll move, but until the software becomes available, the businesses will be for ever more wedded to their Windows machines.
Businesses will probably be the first to move on, geeks and friends of geeks not counted, for security reasons, as well as not being tied to consumer applications that are not likely to be ported any time soon. It has to some extent already begun in schools and public institutions.
Do you see that light in the end of the tunnel? It's a slow-moving freight train, and it's headed for you. If I were you, I'd start running.
Member since:
2005-07-10
Kaiwai,
Re: "So what you're saying is basically I'm a stupid idiot who should just jolly well put up with the fact that my iPod can't work out of the box with a linux system, and that I should go off and simply put up with the fact that none of my much required applications will never exist on Linux.
Sorry, thats plain stupid, and thank god shareholders don't allow IT types within a 100 metre radius of decision making - computers are about making end users lives easier, and it doens't matter a tinkers cuss as to whether a 20,000 dollar application is available on Linux, it isn't going to fix the fact that suzy homemaker can't copy her photos from her digital camera to a nicely laid out photo application - that is the situation.
But hey, like you classified he, I'm a ranting idiot who doesn't have a clue; I a complete f*ckwitt who would be better of knocking himself off and releiving the world of the heavy burden of having me existing!"
What Rayiner, was doing was clarifying for yourself and others that there are software alternatives for those considering switching to Linux whether for private or enterprise. He actually did a very good job at explaining the various markets that can be successful switching to Linux. As for your comments about digital photos and syncing an iPod it's a clear indication that you're either ignorant when it comes to current Linux distributions and software or just attempting to spread FUD.
As for your comment about shareholders not allowing IT personelle to make business decisions I think you also lack knowledge regarding business practices. After all shareholders typically are not in board meetings and the CEO or director usually makes the financial decisions. If the business is smart they will seek information from IT personelle regarding software/hardware changes for the business as this will likely help the business succeed. As for making end users lives easier this is what IT personelle do as the employee is not installing software, the Administrator and IT personelle are. Having spoken with several IT Administrators I have been told they are surprized how well Linux distributions like SUSE Linux have progressed both on the server and desktop. There is little if any need to use the terminal to execute commands as most things are now accessible in user friendly GUI tools with straight forward instructions.
I don't really have anything to say about your last paragraph except that it seems to be a reflection of yourself, your knowledge or lack there of.