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The real value of Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Generally speaking, at or near the top every Linux advocate's list of "The
| best things about Linux" is the word "alternative". Linux gives people an
| alternative; a choice of operating systems; you don't have to be locked into
| using Microsoft's, or anyone elses, software.
|
| In other words: Linux forces competition into the marketplace.
|
| In the mid 90's to early 2000's, Microsoft competed with Unix and Novell for
| the SME server market. They won significant market share with NT3.51, NT4 and
| Win2000. This was mostly as a result of having pretty decent products which
| were relatively easy to use and at pretty good prices. Linux is now competing
| against Microsoft in many marketspaces, for much of the same reasons.
|
| The free availablity and continually improving quality of Linux is forcing
| Microsoft to pick up their game. It is no coincidence that the rise of the
| netbook market, driven initially by Linux, saw Microsoft reverse their
| decision to cease supporting WinXP.
`----
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/22397/1162/
Recent:
Netbooks Slam Shut On Vista Sales
,----[ Quote ]
| Revenue from Microsoft's key Windows franchise grew just 2% in the most
| recent quarter as more PC buyers opted for smaller, more nimble,
| netbook-style devices that don't need a fat OS like Vista. Does Redmond have
| an answer for this trend?
|
| [...]
|
| Redmond's problem: An increasing number of computer buyers, mostly in
| high-growth, price-sensitive emerging markets, are realizing that they can
| get by with so-called netbooks for most of their online requirements. It's a
| fact that's leaving Windows Vista out in the cold in some of the world's
| fastest growing tech markets.
|
| Netbooks, from offshore manufacturers such as Taiwan's Asus, typically lack
| the horsepower to run the big and bulky Vista. But they're fully capable of
| performing routine computing tasks such as e-mailing, Web surfing, and
| instant messaging. Many models feature the free Linux OS.
`----
http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/10/netbooks_slam_s.html
Microsoft: NetBooks Affecting Windows Revenue
,----[ Quote ]
| Matt Rosoff, an analyst with Kirkland, Wash.-based research firm Directions
| On Microsoft, said one area of concern for Microsoft is the falling
| percentage of premium priced versions of Windows versus non-premium versions,
| which could be the result of more people buying NetBooks.
`----
http://www.crn.com/software/211600321
Path:Real-Life Linux: The ASUS Eee PC 1000
,----[ Quote ]
| The no-maintenance part was also important. Unlike any Windows machine, which
| requires monthly -- or even more frequent security updates -- to even pretend
| to be safe, not to mention added-cost and trouble anti-virus and anti-malware
| software, Linux has security baked-in.
`----
http://www.pcworld.com/article/152822/asus_eee_pc_1000_linux.html?tk=rss_news
The netbook newbie's guide to Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Thanks to their design as appliances, you can get down to useful work
| straight away with any of the new breed of Linux-based netbooks. But sooner
| or later, a fair few folk come up against the unfamiliarity of Linux. And,
| like the legendary tribe of pygmies, you may find yourself jumping up and
| down in the head-high long grass shouting out the incantation that gave the
| tribe its name: "We're the Fukarwi."
`----
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/10/17/netbook_linux_guide_1/
Microsoft worried over Linux ULPCs
,----[ Quote
| An un-named Microsoft official quoted in the original article claims that
| manufacturers currently offering Linux on their low-cost devices “have made
| some good inroads with open-source, and Microsoft wants to put a stop to it.”
`----
http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/05/12/microsoft-worried-over-linux-ulpcs/1
Feeling the heat at Microsoft
,----[ Quote ]
| If I ask you who is Microsoft's biggest competitor now, who would it be?
|
| Ballmer: Open...Linux. I don't want to say open source. Linux, certainly have
| to go with that.
`----
http://www.news.com/Feeling-the-heat-at-Microsoft/2008-1012_3-6232458.html?tag=ne.fd.mnbc
Otellini: 'MID revolution will be centred round Linux'
,----[ Quote ]
| Intel CEO says Microsoft's insistence on pushing Vista will hand market to
| open source rival
|
| Intel's CEO has said that he sees the revolution that is about to happen
| around mobile internet devices (MID) such as the Eee PC and other Atom-based
| sub-notebooks will be "centred round Linux", in an interview with Associated
| Press.
`----
http://www.pcretailmag.com/news/29939/Otellini-MID-revolution-will-be-centred-round-Linux
Acer bets big on Linux
,----[ Quote ]
| Acer has stated that it will be pushing Linux aggressively on its laptops and
| netbooks.
`----
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2218172/acer-pushes-linux-hard
Microsoft sees slide in profits
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7366106.stm
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