Microsoft Linux: Why one free software advocate wants it ... says that Windows 7 is doomed ....

Network World ^ | Wed, 10/28/09 - 3:07pm. | Microsoft Subnet

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Ex-Microsoftie says that Windows 7 is doomed and Linux, free software, will ultimately dominate.

A lot of open source advocates like to rage against the machine at Microsoft, but when a former Microsoft Research employee says that Windows 7 won't stop Linux from market domination, that's an opinion to note. Keith Curtis, author of the book After the Software Wars, says just that. But he goes further. He thinks Microsoft and its customers would be better off if the company ditched Windows and instead built its own version of the Linux operating system.

These topics came up yesterday during my interview with Curtis for Network World's Panorama Podcast series. It was an interesting conversation with someone who has crossed over worlds, from Microsoft employee to free software advocate. But it raised as many questions in my mind as it answered.

[GCC Catholic]

From what I understand, they’ve been running the Kernel (full or modified) under the covers for some time now.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Funny, that's why I switched in the first place. I didn't have time to screw around with Vista, so I switched to Linux.

I don't have time to mess around with my computer all the time, which is why I use Linux. It works reliably, does everything I need, and more. It even runs Windows inside my Linux installation if I need to run a Windows program.

Why would I want to mess with Linux?

Peace of mind and $149 more to spend on something more enjoyable. And Compiz Fusion is nice too. :)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Compiz Fusion and freedom from viruses and trojans and all the other bits and pieces of Malware floating around on the internet are the reason I switched.....

[smokingfrog]

So you like the EasyPeasy then?
It looks real nice in the pictues.

I don’t use the webcam feature much anyway, so that probably wouldn’t be a dealbreaker.

Lately, Firefox seems to be crashing a lot when I watch youtube video full screen.

[calex59]

Ubuntu loads 3.5 firefox for you during installation, it also finds your hardware, installs the drivers and things just work. I have some complaints about Linux in particular but mostly they are personal complaints. Ubuntu works well and is the best distribution of linux I have used. I have to admit though that the last time I used linux was back in the Red Hat days and things have improved considerably. I still use XP for my main computer(another one has(ugh)Vista on it, it works fairly well, but somewhat slower. Unbutu is fast but the Movie player needs plugins installed, which takes up disk space, in order to run most DVDs, and you can't use Netflix instant play with it.

I haven't used Windows 7 and don't plan on it as XP still does what I want and I see no reason to spend money right now just to upgrade and make MS a few more bucks.

[calex59]

It even runs Windows inside my Linux installation if I need to run a Windows program.

I am just coming back to Linux after a long absence. What program do you use, and where can I get it, to run windows inside Linux and will it work with Ubuntu?

[perfect_rovian_storm]

I use Virtualbox, which is free and available in the package manager. You can also get Vmware if you want to pay for a program to do it. I like Virtualbox better after trying both. The ‘seamless’ mode works much better in Virtualbox.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Try Mint. It installs all the codecs and Flash for you from the start. Otherwise, it’s basically the same as Ubuntu save for a couple of different menu features.

The last version I installed (Jaunty) only installed the 2.0 version of Firefox by default. That may be different now, but if that is the case, all you need to do is install the 3.5 along side.

[Uncle Miltie]

Microsoft quit worrying about Linux several years ago.

[perfect_rovian_storm]

Yeah, sure.

[smokingfrog]

thanks

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

If MS built its own Linux OS...wouldn't it bear a striking resemblance to another popular OS already out there on millions of machines?

I think they call it Mac...something.

[tacticalogic]

I’m still waiting to see the mythical open-source Exchange killer.

[KoRn]

As bad as Windows has been during the past three or so years, this is a golden opportunity for Linux or another OS to really take off. Vista had to be one of the worst operating systems I’ve ever seen. It’s right up there with Windows ME. Sure it isn’t as unreliable as ME, but on balance, the terrible design/user experience makes it as bad ME to run on your machine. I still can’t believe Microsoft actually paid for the development of such a terrible OS.(that’s saying something)

Windows 7 appears to be an improvement, but it’s still built on that terrible Vista UI, it only asks you fewer questions while using it. IMO, Microsoft needed to completely start from scratch to recover from Vista, and with Win7 they haven’t done that. The only hope Win7 has going for it is that it doesn’t seem to have the overwhelming negative vibe that in the user community that Vista had when it was released.

I believe we are seeing the beginning of the end of Microsoft’s dominance in the home desktop PC market. Within 10 years I expect Linux, and especially Mac to be at a parity with Windows. I was at a Best Buy tonight, and I thought it was very telling that almost as much floor space was dedicated to Mac machines as Windows. To the end user population out there, it’s no longer ‘cool’ to use Windows, and in that environment people will give a serious look at computers that aren’t running Windows while shopping.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Yep,...Apple has won the “Coolness” title.

[grey_whiskers]

Seriously -- what *IS* that? (shudders)

Cheers!

[MichiganMan]

I am just coming back to Linux after a long absence. What program do you use, and where can I get it, to run windows inside Linux and will it work with Ubuntu?

Easiest way is called Wubi.  It lets you try Ubuntu Linux without the hassle of setting up a separate partition or formating your hard drive.  To install it you just run the installer located on a Ubuntu install disk that you can download here.

You can find info on Wubi here or here.

Basically you just run the installer from inside Windows.  Once its installed you can choose to run either Windows or Ubuntu Linux at the boot screen.  You can uninstall it just like any Windows application.  Or use C:\ubuntu\Uninstall-Ubuntu.exe.

As for programs to use, it depends on the task you want to accomplish.  There are thousands of programs out there, most of them free.  

[dayglored]

> ...the beginning of the end of Microsoft’s dominance in the home desktop PC market. Within 10 years I expect Linux, and especially Mac to be at a parity with Windows...

As one who has used all of the above plus others for decades, let me comment that:

• Only Microsoft can kill Windows. Vista tried mightily, but failed. Win7 will likely resurrect it.

• In the words of a Microsoft spokesman years ago: "You're right, Windows is full of flaws. But it's GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU." Most computer users accept and believe that nonsense and will continue to ad infinitum.

• Apple is successful because it is a minority player. Their business premise does not work well if they gain parity with Windows. I would put the threshold of danger at 25% marketshare. If they exceed 30% they will have to stop being Apple-like.

• The Linux community will never become business-capable. So far, IBM and Novell have tried to push Linux, and the only places it works are the ones it's already in -- servers and geeks.

I use 'em all, pros and cons. They all have their place. If Microsoft stumbles again like Vista, they may fall over, and perhaps Apple will pick up more marketshare again. But I don't see the overall balance shifting much, whether in 5 years, 10 years, or more.

The thing that will change it is when (not if) the personal computer model of computing disappears. That may be on the horizon at 10 or 15 years, but I don't know what will replace it.