The fact is that Vista will be an utter flop and Linux is at worst going to hold steady (if not going to gain)--and all the cards on the table show this.
Especially so among the computer savvy and in IT departments, as companies try to find ways to cut costs.
Personally, I don't think Vista's going to be taken too well by the public and will exist only on new computers manufactured after its release.
IOW--not many people are going to have a reason to swap out XP for Vista.
Vista isn't going to be the revolutionary jump (like from 3.1x to Win95; 98SE & ME to 2k and XP) that Microsoft thinks it is.
From what I've seen, it's just an updated XP with puffed-up eye candy--so if anything, I'll wait until a.) I get a new computer that has Vista already installed, or b.) wait and see what Vienna is going to offer.
In any case though, I'd be willing to bet that Windows alternatives will see gains--and especially if Apple cuts the prices of some of their computers and/or releases a plain x86 version of Leopard. Linux and other *nix-like OSs will see a boom among savvy users and IT pros.
And MS will have egg on its face...again. Much like it did after releasing Windows ME.
Fact? LOL
Could either one or both of you tell me what "Vienna" happens to be, i'm not familiar with the term. It is the codname for the next Windows version after Vista?
In any case though, I'd be willing to bet that Windows alternatives will see gains--and especially if Apple cuts the prices of some of their computers and/or releases a plain x86 version of Leopard. Linux and other *nix-like OSs will see a boom among savvy users and IT pros.
i wouldn't quite be ready to count Windows as down and out at this time (the time of the release of Vista). In this particular case, i happen to believe that they are going in the right direction of offering different types of Vista installations (seven different versions the last i counted). If they expand on this concept, and make versions of the OS that meet Differing types of user preferences they can make this into a big winner.
i have no idea how likely this is to become reality, but it's not exactly a majour tweek in marketing.
And MS will have egg on its face...again. Much like it did after releasing Windows ME.
Am i the only person in America who actually liked Windows ME? i still run it on my old Toshiba Laptop, and if one keeps the registry clean, it runs just fine.
in Essence, it was Windows XP's features with Windows 98SE's kernel, and an FAT32 file system instead of NTFS.
I hate ME. I tried it when it first came out, discarded it, and never touched it again. I hope Vista doesn't cause the same reaction.
BTW: Congrats on pursuing your degree. Good luck!!