Linux Gains Traction Outside of PC, Server Market

Washington Post ^ | Wednesday, September 25, 2002; 4:41 PM | Reed Stevenson

[milestogo]

Linux Gains Traction Outside of PC, Server Market

Reuters
Wednesday, September 25, 2002; 4:41 PM

By Reed Stevenson

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Having established a firm foothold in the server market and a cult-like following among programmers, the Linux open-source operating system has set its sights on a new target: the cash register.

Linux is not after the money inside the cash register, but the machine itself, which these days is an increasingly complex computer that not only records transactions but offers inventory information, advertisements and customer services.

Steve Solazzo, General Manager for Linux at International Business Machines Corp. , said the retail sector is interested in Linux because of its stability and security, rather than the fact that it is free.

While the retail sector has been toying with the idea of Linux for a while, real growth has come over the past year, said Solazzo.

"I think it's safe to say the business is growing triple digits year-on-year," he said.

At the very least, IBM is hoping that Linux will be adopted by retailers in the same way that companies embraced Linux for servers, the computers that handle Internet and network traffic. One in five servers ran on Linux last year.

Regal Entertainment Group , the largest movie theater operator in the United States, said on Wednesday that it has started to use Linux running on IBM hardware to sell popcorn, soft drinks and other snacks at kiosks in its movie theaters.

J.E. Henry, Regal's Chief Information Officer, said Linux "was the right platform" to lower costs and make kiosk sales more efficient, a key factor considering that moviegoers are easily annoyed by long lines just before a movie is about to begin.

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ping..

[eno_]

Unlike IBM's foolish attempts to soak cheapskate Linux customers for expensive consulting, this could actually work.

[Illbay]

I believe Linux is capable of anything--except capturing the desktop.

[Bush2000]

I see a big future in Linux running banks of flush toilets at the airport.

[rdb3]

I see a big future in Linux running banks of flush toilets at the airport.

Isn't that sophomoric, B2K?

At any rate, the big boys at Redmond have taken notice. That should tell you something. But their taking notice is good enough for me.

[rdb3]

The Penguin Ping.

Wanna be Penguified? Just holla!

Got root?

[TheEngineer]

I see a big future in Linux running banks of flush toilets at the airport.

The WindowsXP automatic flush toilets (with the "seeing eye") automatically connect to Redmond every few hours to upload confidential user data (2 shakes or 3... etc...).

Sorry... Couldn't resist a good sarcastic post on this one. :-)

[TechJunkYard]

Regal Entertainment Group... said that it has started to use Linux running on IBM hardware to sell popcorn, soft drinks and other snacks at kiosks in its movie theaters.

J.E. Henry... said Linux "was the right platform" to lower costs and make kiosk sales more efficient, a key factor considering that moviegoers are easily annoyed by long lines just before a movie is about to begin.

Yup. Not the best time to try to find someone to reboot that Windoze server in the back room...

[dyed_in_the_wool]

I see a big future in Linux running banks of flush toilets at the airport.

Embedded Linux is extremely reliable. Much better than the Embedded CE stuff.
And if you could only trust Linux to run airport toilets, I'd hate to see what you'd use MicroSoft technology for.

[js1138]

I'd hate to see what you'd use MicroSoft technology for.

Making a living comes to mind.

[B Knotts]

Yeah, but did you really have to say "upload?"

:-)

[ninenot]

And if you could only trust Linux to run airport toilets

That's a compliment. Flushing toilets is a critical task. Windows doesn't have the stability.

[isthisnickcool]

I see a big future in Linux running banks of flush toilets at the airport.

Bush2000, AKA The Microsoft Guy

[N. Theknow]

Dr. Seuss Explains Why Computers Sometimes Crash

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port, and the bus is interrupted at a very last resort, and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort, then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash, and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash, and your data is corrupted cause the index doesn't hash, then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!!

If the label on the cable on the table at your house says the network is connected to the button on your mouse, but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol, that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall, and your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss, so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse; then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang, 'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!

When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk, and the macro code instructions cause unnecessary risk, then you'll have to flash the memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM.

Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!

[Bush2000]

Embedded Linux is extremely reliable. Much better than the Embedded CE stuff.

Oh, rrrrrrrright. You said it's true. Who am I to bring little things like evidence and facts into the argument?

[Bush2000]

That's a compliment. Flushing toilets is a critical task. Windows doesn't have the stability.

Haven't you heard? You're singing the wrong mantra! Free software bigots have given up on the stability issue -- in light of the rock-solid reliability of Win2K and WinXP -- and are now whining about security. Get with the program!

[Publius6961]

BUMP

[Bush2000]

Bush2000, AKA The Microsoft Guy

Thanks, flush toilet boy...

[Dataman]

I'd hate to see what you'd use MicroSoft technology for.

Making a living comes to mind.

Just think of all the jobs that would be lost if windows became reliable!