Study: Windows Can Be Cheaper to Use Than Linux

Reuters ^ | September 9, 2003

[Leroy S. Mort]

Ever feel like throwing a firecracker in the middle of a bunch of sleeping penguins? Bwaaaaaaaaack !!

[TomGuy]

according to a study paid for by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O)

No bias there, of course.

[Leroy S. Mort]

There's been a lot of discussion about this even in the Linux-friendly press. See The real cost of switching to Linux in InfoWorld. As with every other IT decision, it's not a no-brainer.

[patj]

ping

[TomGuy]

The main issue, then, now, and in the future is compatibility.

I remember working with software in the 1980's when MS was a minor player. The complaint against MS was its incompatibility in business software. WordPerfect and WordStar, for example, dominated the market. Each also allowed conversion of documents to the other format. Word (a minor player at the time) did not. Customers complained vigorously and MS gave in and added conversion filters. Thereafter, MS started gaining significantly because their products--Word, Excel, Access--integrated better (duh!) with Windows than did the "outsider" programs.

If Linux can develop cross-compatibility, they could become a viable challenge to MS/Windows. Unix didn't take MS seriously years ago, and Unix has almost become a byword. Apple/Mac, similar. Until "those other" OS's started becoming more PC (i.e., Windows) friendly, they nearly went the way of Commodore, TRS-80, Adams, and a dozen other starters in the early pc/computer market who closed up shop long ago.

Incompatibility just doesn't fly in the general business world today.

[Glenn]

integrated better (duh!) with Windows than did the "outsider" programs.

Does that have anything to do with MicroSoft having the insider scoop on the OS?

[TomGuy]

Oh yes. In the early/mid 90's there were a lot of criticisms of MS for "hiding" code, etc., from outside developers. Talk about monopoly now, it was massive 10 years ago.

Many "competitive programs" to the MS product line seemed to have glitches and lock ups that didn't occur in the MS product line. Strange, huh (lol).

[observer5]

"Microsoft released a study...

That should give you a clue!

[doosee]

Gideon gonna guarantee his gig gets the green!!!!!!! From Microsoft

[Wonder Warthog]

"Thereafter, MS started gaining significantly because their products--Word, Excel, Access--integrated better (duh!) with Windows than did the "outsider" programs."

Not true. The reason was the "package deal" including Word, Excel, and Powerpoint in one "package"--which was a masterstroke of marketing. Up to that point, one had to get word processing from WordPerfect, spreadsheet from Lotus, and presentation software from Harvard Graphics. And none of those worked well with the others.

[At _War_With_Liberals]

Many "competitive programs" to the MS product line seemed to have glitches and lock ups that didn't occur in the MS product line. Strange, huh (lol).

Lotus 123

[TomGuy]

Yes, it was true. MS got a lot of complaints and Word, for example, was the lagging behind WP, WS, Multimate. Businesses refused to buy Word. Biggest complaint against Word--lack compatibility with the other programs.

When MS made it more compatible (ver 2.0), Word was able to start overtaking the market. MS issued special "compatibility conversion" add-ons to accomplish this. Of course, Word was helped when WP sold out to -- that network software co (name escapes me). That network co didn't fully support its own WordPerfect, so WP nosedived until WP was sold to Corel who has been trying to resurrect it.

[Poohbah]

Developing Windows-based applications is easier and cheaper than making Linux-based applications, according to a study paid for by Microsoft Corp. (MSFT.O) and released on Monday.

I am utterly unsurprised that the report said this...

[twntaipan]

This article ought to be like red-meat-to-hungry-rotweiller for the Linux dudes. Attack!

[Poohbah]

I have WordImPerfect 11.0 from Corel.

IIRC, WordImPerfect was sold to Novell, who immediately tried to ax-murder it. They either didn't support it, or they supported it in the manner that Hillary Clinton supported Vince Foster.

[AppyPappy]

Absolute crap considering the time I have spent chasing down viruses.

[Poohbah]

BTW, WordImPerfect 11.0 isn't bad.

[TomGuy]

I've been tempted to try Linux. Looking at their homepage and the release of 4.0, it does look interesting.

If I were still in the work environment, however, my concern would be the cross-compatibility issue. I used to work with literally thousands of files of documents and graphics in various formats. I had to intermix selections from them at times, so compatibility was primary issue.

For a home user or small business, where external file compatibility is not an issue, Linux seems to have all the necessary programs: Wordprocessing, presentation, spreadsheet, internet browser, email, checkbalancing, etc.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Put Norton and Windows on automatic update. I haven't had a virus in years.

[TomGuy]

Right, it was Novell.

I used WP in the mid 80's (DOS environment) and early Windows 3.0 version. I ran rings around any existing wordprocessing program until Novell got hold of it. It was too bad. WP was the best.