Windows Vista vs. Linux: Why Vista Might Lose the Battle

PlayFuls.com ^ | 05/29/2006 | Cyberlord

[N3WBI3]

The opening of Beta 2 testing at WinHEC for Windows Vista has once again raised serious questions about Microsoft's ability to keep its promises. We have witnessed up until now the inexhaustible reservoir of excuses coming from MS's officials, who have continuously fed us with plenty of reasons for Vista's delay: they're working on security, they're trying to make it more reliable for business, etc. Although it was initially destined to make its public debut way back in 2002, following years haven't shown us more than small bits of what was to become Microsoft's best product in more than 10 years.

The Beta 2 testing last week didn't bring much hope for most of us, including software and hardware producers too. Developers' feedback, although not a big surprise, turned out to be more than reserved concerning the overall quality of Vista, inducing the-again-not-so-unexpected idea that there is still a lot of work to do in this domain. Moreover, rumors concerning a yet another delay of Vista, previously announced for public appearance in January 2007, came out from CEO Steve Ballmer himself this week, despite his subsequent declarations that "Vista is on track". Developers that have tested Vista even suggest that it is possible for Microsoft not to reach its goal of delivering Vista to corporate customers in November 2006.

It would be a mistake to consider that we are now heading for disaster. Maybe Ballmer's declarations are true and MAYBE Vista shall publicly appear in January 2007. But what's done is done. Microsoft cannot erase what it has implemented in customer's mind: "the best product in 10 years". All the delays pinpointed to one thing: "we are working at improving Vista". So a public release next year without the superior quality that customers are longing for would be an even harder hit to MS's already shooked-up image. The smallest security flaw in Vista would immediately become a gap of global proportions, capable of allowing all the Evil things in the world enter through it (including viruses of course...). Any oversight of a particular aspect in Vista will have huge repercaussions for the entire OS, casting a dim shadow upon the overall impression. And Aero will definitely not be able to compensate it...

There are other reasons to consider while investigating the possible failure of Redmond-giant flagship product. First of all: the price. Microsoft announced that Vista will not show its beautiful face (Aero) to those who possess pirated copies. So if you want to have 3D windows on your screen you'd have to pay a larger sum than for XP (after all, Vista requires 15 G of free space on your hard drive).

Jack Messman, CEO Novell, had already stated since september 2005, during Novell’s Brain Share, which took place in Barcelona, Spain, that switching from Windows XP to Windows Vista will be more expensive than switching from Windows XP to Linux. So far, Microsoft hasn’t published any details about the price scheme it plans for Windows Vista, but ever since the Redmond company announced the hardware requirements, many experts have started to link the fee for a license with the amounts of money that will be invested in a PC that would allow you to run the OS.

And thus we have reached the second reason for Vista's envisioned failure. In order to run it properly not only that you'd have to license it, but you'd also have to think of spending more money on hardware. And this is bad news not only for retail customers but also for middle to small size companies, that don't possess enough money to change their computers like corporations do. And when we think that Vista might not be as reliable and secure as everyone expects...

This is where Linux comes on stage. It's totally free (well, most of the distros are). It has proven its reliability over time and it has convinced IT managers from large corporations (like IBM) to local authorities (like the French Gendarmerie or the Norwegian and Spanish government)to switch to it instead of Windows XP. Servers or desktops running Linux don't suffer from hoax, worms or spyware and they do not provide BSODs (blue screens of death, typically a source of irony for both Windows and Linux users). As for Aero, KDE desktop did long time ago a lot of the things Aero shall do in 2007, and with a whole lot less hardware resources. Not to mention that Novell's XGL Desktop is already not one, but two steps ahead of Aero: at least 1Ghz processor, a minimum of 256 system RAM and an old GeForce MX 400. And visual effects are staggering compared to Aero (just imagine a cube- which is your desktop- and a film being presented on two of its sides...). And last, but not least, the many "flavors" of Linux, which allow the user to turn freely and with no supplementary cost from one distro to another, or even run it from a live-CD/USB flash. And if that's not enough for you, just think at how much will Vista resist getting its Aero GUI pirated...

All in all, the probably unanimous conclusion is that with or without Vista's release in 2007 the winner is Linux. Paradoxically enough, just as many have suggested before, Microsoft shall boost Linux's popularity no matter what Vista will bring new to the OS market. Still, if rumors concerning a new delay of Vista are true, MS's credibility (already at low levels in recent years) will drop significantly, and with it, the finances too.

[rzeznikj at stout]

I tried the 5.10 via qemu--but I'll have to grab the 6.06 CD and give it a whirl...8^)

Like the background image, btw...

[rzeznikj at stout]

I did a report for one of my classes with the legality of OSS licenses--with extensive research.

Heck, I even ended up going to the state law library as well.

You sir have absolutely no idea what you're talking about.

[MadIvan]

I recommend raiding Deviant Art for icons as well - look under Icons and Dock Images - I've been having some fun with those.

Regards, Ivan

[rzeznikj at stout]

I've hit them up a couple of times already--IIRC, that's where I got my flux theme...8^)

[FLAMING DEATH]

Please provide links to such cases, if you disagree. Thanks.

[rzeznikj at stout]

LOL

In seriousness though, I haven't decided which law school--much less what field of law I'd like to specialize in...8^)

[ThinkDifferent]

I just had fun upgrading my laptop from Ubuntu Breezy Badger (5.10) to the latest edition, Dapper Drake (6.06)

Cool. I have Breezy Badger running on my MacBook Pro in a Parallels virtual machine; I'll update it tonight.

[Golden Eagle]

LOL your research is worthless if it failed to find any evidence of open source software anywhere in the US courts as you claimed. Not that I'm surprised.

[Golden Eagle]

I haven't decided which law school--much less what field of law I'd like to specialize in...

Yeah you're on your third undergrad school already right? Good luck just getting accepted!

[rzeznikj at stout]

Well, if you say it's worthless, then where are the links FD and I asked for?

As usual--can talk but can't actually produce...

[N3WBI3]

Are you done insulting people so you can provide proof of massive ip theft and re-appropriation in OSS?

[rzeznikj at stout]

FYI--the reason why I'm on my third school is as follows:

The first school I attended didn't offer my major when I decided to change majors. If they did, I would have just stayed there and wouldn't have transferred at all.

I transferred to a two-year college because I had most of the work done for their Associate degree already. Not to mention that I got a head start to finishing my bachelor's degree with cheaper tuition.

Now I'm headed back to a four-year university to finish my degree.

[MadIvan]

You don't have to explain yourself to him. His comment was totally uncalled for.

Regards, Ivan

[rzeznikj at stout]

I know...

But will the Mods do anything about it--that's the thing...8^)

[N3WBI3]

rze,

My one regret in the way I approached getting my Engineering degree was not going to a two year first and getting the non technical classes out of the way first for far less money then I ended up spending for my foreign language, history, natural sciences classes

You made the right decision you'll hit the four year school with a fresh view of things and that will help your grades markedly.

A friend of mine from HS was about the smartest guy I ever knew decided to drop out of college after one term. He floated around a bit finally get motivated again and two years ago got into Yale law school, sometimes you have to take a different road to get where you want to go. GE who has displayed the intellectual elitism of a true liberal would have been making fun of him for dropping out and working security for two years yet he will be making more than anyone working for DOD when he is through..

[Golden Eagle]

Do I really have to provide a link to show open source software on trial in the US? You really never even heard of the SCO/IBM trial, for example? Almost unbelievable, till I remember who made the claim!

[rzeznikj at stout]

That's exactly why.

I paid over $3500 a semester at the first school. This past year, I paid only $2100...

And having that two-year degree in hand satisfies all the general-education requirements for my degree. So for the most part all I have to take are major-specific courses.

Though I might take some electives, and if I save up my dough, maybe start on that Linux admin certificate at the local technical college...8^)

[rzeznikj at stout]

Still, there is no precedent. The case hasn't gone to trial and won't until next year--assuming their case isn't kicked out of court before then.

But look at who SCO has sued--Novell, AutoZone, and Daimler Chrysler. What have they accomplished?

Nothing--except being sued by Red Hat.

[MadIvan]

Once my laptop does give up the ghost - it won't be for a while now (it's about 2 1/2 years old, but with Dapper Drake and a new Seagate HD, it's a sprightly youngster again) - I want to get a MacBook Pro - let me know how well it runs with Dapper.

Regards, Ivan

[MadIvan]

You can get Ubuntu Certification now.

Regards, Ivan