Linux is about to take over the low end of PCs

[Dapper Dan]

I thought this was an interesting read...

[MikeTbob]

Very Interesting!
I seriously doubt MS will be

where it'll be bleeding ink on some of its product lines

I mean, I think the guy (Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols) is smart, but he does go out in left field a little too often for me.

[daark.child]

I agree with SJVN to a great extent on the issues of the OLPC and Classmate computers. I don't think Microsofts revenue will be dented by these products in the short term, but if these devices become popular then there could be problems ahead for MS. If a new generation of youngsters were to grow up exposed to a lot of non MS products, then this ultimately will reduce the Windows monopoly and I have a sneaky suspicion that this is why MS is try as best as it can to have XP run on those cheap laptops.

[budman7]

I agree with SJVN to a great extent on the issues of the OLPC and Classmate computers. I don't think Microsofts revenue will be dented by these products in the short term, but if these devices become popular then there could be problems ahead for MS. If a new generation of youngsters were to grow up exposed to a lot of non MS products, then this ultimately will reduce the Windows monopoly and I have a sneaky suspicion that this is why MS is try as best as it can to have XP run on those cheap laptops.

You would be correct in saying that MS will fight this trend.
Microsoft Wants One Laptop Per Child System To Run Windows XP -- Microsoft -- InformationWeek

[elija]

I think that in the short term, Microsoft don't have that much to worry
about. Windows in it's various incarnations will remain the most used
desktop operating system for some time to come.

It has been interesting to see Microsoft start to panic though and
use some FUD tactics, with the unspecified patent claims. Having
seen what similiar claims did to SCO, it is suprising that the normally
savvy Microsoft want to go down that route.

It has been interesting to see Microsoft start to panic though it has
not been that suprising. The best advert for non Microsoft operating
systems seems to have been Windows Vista. I base this on the
completely unscientific observation of several long term Windows
usering friends and co-workers of mine switching to either Linux
or Mac.

Microsoft is one of the most cash rich companies in the world. This
means that they are able to release a basic version of Windows
for free in order to compete on price with Linux. I wonder if they
would ever be willing?

[Freston]

They do what it takes.

[danbuter]

One thing this report misrepresents is paying for the Office suite. You can use Open Office on Vista just as easy as Linux. People pay for Office because, as much as a lot of people hate to admit it, it is just plain better than OO right now. Hopefully this will change in the next year or two.

[elija]

Microsoft Office is better definitely than Open Office for a corporate
environment, the collaboration tools built in are light years ahead of
Open Office. However, for the home, soho market Open Office is nearly
perfect.


Now I am going to question if the report is really misleading. It is true
that you can run Open Office on Vista, but the business mindset tends to
be Microsoft.

The report therefore is reflecting what usually is rather than what could be.

[Dapper Dan]

It's an opinion piece, not a "report."

[elija]

It is reporting an opinion, but your distinction is well made.