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Re: Transparency in Government Data, Inspired by Open Source

On Dec 10, 11:31 am, "Sibold Bargehassus" <Sib...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> "Roy Schestowitz" <newsgro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> schreef in berichtnews:1782484.vZetxgH76H@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Towards the principles of open government data
>
> <snipped spam>
> Wow! Roy, you have a record here! 39 poasts without a reply! Mark, Marti,
> come on now, help your poor hero! All you have to say is "Yes, I agree Roy!"

Roy often posts excellent citations of news related to Linux and Open
Source Software.

The two are ultimately linked.  Linux has become the foundry for a
huge collection of Open Source Software, and at the same, has enabled
developers to write one source code that can run on Linux, OS/X, and
Windows, including Windows 98, Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows
XP, and Vista, using the Cygwin library or portable Java.  Microsoft
is losing Mind-share to applications based on Open Source APIs, they
are losing control of the marketplace.  Open Office, Star Office, and
Lotes Notes 8 and Lotus Symphony, all fully supporting Open Document
Format, are ripping away at Microsoft Office.  Many large companies
are now requiring that review documents be submitted in ODF format
rather than Microsoft Office.  The preferred alternative for "Final"
documents is now PDF.

Open Document Format based Office Suites is also chopping off demand
for Microsoft Office 2007.  More and more PCs are being ordered
WITHOUT Office 2007.  There are just too many good ODF based editors
that can also provide functional reviewable documents that can be used
in collaborative efforts.  Linux also provides other collaborative
tools (which can also be implemented on Windows) such as CVS,
Bugzilla, and corporate instant messaging services such as GAIM or
Pidgin with ICQ or Jabber servers.

The big advantage is that a standard version can be downloaded and
installed in about 10 minutes when a high speed connection, such as a
corporate network, DSL, Cable Modem, or WiFi connection is used.

High speed networks, legally duplicatable CD ISO images or
installation images, memory sticks, and many other distribution
alternatives have made it much easier for Open Source Software
applications and freely distributable applications to be distributed
to hundreds of millions of users.

Microsoft is putting up a brave front, but they are also feeling the
pain.  Microsoft has had to tap their deep cash reserves to fund
orders that are being more and more reluctantly placed by OEMs and
Corporate customers.

There is a very good chance that if the Antitrust case expires, the
OEMS, competitors, and corporate customers may just go into open
revolt against Microsoft.  Up until now, most Linux and OSS activity
has been covert, subversive, and done quietly.  If the santions are
completely lifted, these customer and competitors of Microsoft know
that it will only be a matter of time before Microsoft attempts even
more dramatic anticompetitive practices.

Corporations and OEMs must both be prepared to deal with the "All or
nothing" threat from Microsoft.  If they are prepared to take the
stand and say "Nothing", and begin offering Linux, Open Source
Software applications, and refuse to accept Microsoft's draconian
terms, Microsoft will be forced to moderate their stance.  They will
be forced to accept terms dictated by the OEMs, Corporate customers,
and open the market to competitors.

When the DOJ first began the antitrust hearings, the "White Box"
market was less than 10% of the total market, Gateway, E-Machines,
Compaq, and others PC OEMs were thriving, earning 20% annual revenue
increases and 20% profit margins.  In 2007, anticompetitive measures
imposed by Microsoft have put Gateway on the verge of Bankruptcy, made
Compaq a take-over target for HP, and the White Box market has grown
to almost 30% of the total market.

When the DOJ started the hearings in 1998, Microsoft's standard
platform, which excluded Linux, made up almost 95% of the market.  At
the time, USB was barely supported by Linux.  Today, Microsoft's
"standard platform for Vista" which requires DirectX-10, makes up less
than 30% of the market (based on the models offered).  The majority of
the market is based on video cards which are "Linux Ready".

In 1998, Linux testing was a complex process, requiring repartitioning
of hard drives, installation of Linux, manual configuration of drivers
and networks, and manual installation of software.  As a result, very
few corporations, government organizations, and consumers tested a PC
for Linux compatibility.  In 2007, live-CD ISO images can be
downloaded in less than 20 minutes, and can be booted directly,
confirming Linux compatibility takes about 30 minutes.  Today, most
corporations, government organizations, and even many consumers, pre-
test PCs for Linux compatibility before placing orders in any
quantity.

In 1998, new Windows 98 laptops were selling for about $2000 each, and
desktops were selling for over $1000 each.  These prices held for over
a year, and by the time prices began to fall, there was Windows 2000,
which ran on the old machines, but also stimulated a big migration to
new machines in that same price range.  In 2007, it took less than 3
months for PC prices to drop over 30% in price, and in 6 months, the
prices had dropped almost 50%.  Less than one year later, many models,
especially "Linux hostile" PCs have dropped in price to 70% less than
their original asking price.  Many OEMs are now selling Vista machines
at a loss, attempting to scuttle inventory as quickly as possible just
to maintain enough cash flow to support newer Linux Friendly machines.

While Microsoft issues SEC filings in which they claim 40% increases
over prior year (compared to XP sales in the previous year), and 40%
profit margins, most PC OEMs are reporting only 10-15% increases in
revenue, lower unit volumes, and little or no profit.  Gateway, the
most "pure" PC play, has reported several bad quarters.  Their stock
was on the verge of being delisted as it's share price dropped very
close to the $1 per share minumum required for listing on Nasdaq.

Within months after the release of Vista, CompUSA closed it's stores,
because the PC market had become a losing market.  They couldn't
generate enough revenue and profit to pay to keep the lights on.
Other stores like Best Buy have let their PC departments fall into
disrepair, in some cases, cutting staff, eliminating specialists in PC
sales.  Many of the sales people now working in these stores would
rather sell you an HDTV or video theater, which actually earns them a
commission, than a PC, which usually ends up being sold at a loss.

About the only company making a profit on "PCs" is Apple.  They can't
keep up with demand, their PCs are sold at a huge profit, and people
wait in line, sometimes over an hour, for their turn to "test drive"
an Apple.


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