____/ Mark Kent on Friday 14 March 2008 06:52 : \____
> El Tux <nope@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> espoused:
>> On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 23:01:13 +0000, Rick wrote:
>>
>>> On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:31:37 +0000, 7 wrote:
>>>
>>>> El Tux wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> On Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:04:25 +0000, Roy Schestowitz wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> Linux is truly everywhere
>>>>>
>>>>> I saw a pretty good sign the other day. I'm debating whether to get an
>>>>> Eee, so I looked in on the user reviews on Amazon to see what real
>>>>> users are saying. Naturally there were some who couldn't wait to get
>>>>> Windows working on their new toy, but there were also a few who said
>>>>> they bought their Eee *intending* to install Windows first thing, and
>>>>> then found that the "default OS" (Linux) was so nice that they decided
>>>>> to just keep using it.
>>>>>
>>>>> There was also a Linux user who had intended to install his own
>>>>> favorite distro, but decided that the one that was on there was better
>>>>> tailored to the machine. So, it sounds like manufacturers are finally
>>>>> getting a grip on how to really *use* and *customize* Linux, as
>>>>> opposed to just throwing some random (and usually inappropriate)
>>>>> distro on there and calling it done.
>>>>>
>>>>> From some history I know and some rumors I hear on the blogs, it seems
>>>>> pretty certain that Microsoft is going to cut some special deal with
>>>>> Asus to push Linux off the Eee's.
>>>>
>>>> That would be suicidal - EEEs are expected to sell 5 million units.
>>>> Thats some quarter to half a billion dollars in profit to Ausus. Next
>>>> year it could be double that, and double again the following. So Ausus
>>>> would be on a suicidal losing streak if they shook hands with the
>>>> devil.
>>>
>>> It is amazing how many corporations have made deals with the devil over
>>> the years.
>>> (snip)
>>
>> Some of 'em didn't have much choice, but that was then. With the EU
>> Commission on the job now, Asus has a choice. If they stand up for
>> themselves I'll probably give the next Eee a try (rumors are that it'll
>> have a 10.4" screen!). If they sell out and want me to pay a "Microsoft
>> Tax", then I'll just wait for someone else to get it right.
>
> Snap. I'm still trying to get hold of one for No1 son, but if Asus do
> start shipping a Windows version, I'll look for something else, as I've
> no desire to pay for Windows licences in any way, even in some blended
> form.
The Scalix man (now Xandros) told me that Asus needn't pay Microsoft. Comment
here:
"You mention another product that we’re related with, the eeePC. Same story on
that side - no impact or royalties to Redmond in this case, most of it open
source, the stuff that’s not ours and Asus’ own development, and given the
numbers this little thingy leaves the building in, actually one of the most
successful end-user products based on open technology, ever."
http://boycottnovell.com/2008/01/10/scalix-patent-tax-protocols/
Someone else told me (in private) that Microsoft gave away XP to ASUS for a low
price, just because of its fear of Linux I suppose. XP won't be available for
much longer and Vista can hardly move on the Eee unless it's reformed to
become a $800 Ooo PC (as in "Oh oh, ouch"). Microsoft, by the way, knows this
very well. I wonder if the OLPC-tailored XP has something to do with this.
--
~~ Best of wishes
Microsoft loves competition.
"I’m thinking of hitting the OEMs harder than in the past with anti-Linux. ...
they should do a delicate dance"
--Joachim Kempin, Microsoft OEM Chief
http://Schestowitz.com | Free as in Free Beer | PGP-Key: 0x74572E8E
Cpu(s): 25.7%us, 4.0%sy, 1.0%ni, 64.6%id, 4.3%wa, 0.3%hi, 0.1%si, 0.0%st
http://iuron.com - semantic engine to gather information
|
|
