What is Digg?Sponsored by Travelzoo
Take Advantage of Ridiculously Low Holiday Airfares view!
travelzoo.com - Flights $52 and up for Thanksgiving, Christmas & New Year. But move on it now.
221 Comments
- thewump, on 10/10/2007, -2/+79Potentially the most significant gains by Linux in the work environment in Europe and elsewhere will be when the current crop of students move on from education. With an ever increasing use of Linux in Schools for financial reasons, it's fair to assume that a kid moving forward will want to stick to that OS - and see things like Vista as the steaming pile that they are in comparision. Having said that, this to a certain extent relies on either Linux improving to equal footing as a gaming platform, or alternatively the continued innovation in gaming consoles so that the PC is no longer considered a gaming tool.
- schestowitz, on 10/10/2007, -9/+59It's long overdue. It'll be discussed here in the UK as well. People should buy the O/S and PC separately just as you buy a car and gasoline separately. Or a phone and a contract (Think iPhone and AT&T).
- niallabrown, on 10/10/2007, -4/+38I agree with this idea, why does Microsoft have a say? Do they care about the wellbeing of Europe? Let the people choose what is right for them.
- niallabrown, on 10/10/2007, -2/+33This is very true. Eventually most educational institutes will realize they can't afford not to run Linux. As kids become accustom to Linux they will being to branch out and develop a stronger community. Kids who have known freedom and choice from the beginning will see Windows as the trap it is.
- ofenza, on 10/10/2007, -1/+19PCs should always be sold without operating system, or given the customer to choose windows (pay) or linux (free).
- init100, on 10/10/2007, -1/+19It is legal to stay with Windows if you want it. But it should be possible to get a computer without it.
- kronix2, on 10/10/2007, -0/+17"Kids who have known freedom and choice from the beginning will see Windows as the trap it is."
Which is why Microsoft fight tooth and nail to ensure schools continue to roll out Windows across their computer networks. They often end up granting collossal discounts in the UK, just to keep a grip on future consumers. After all, if they grow up using Linux, the kids who grow up to become IT professionals will insist on Linux, and the rest will help increase awareness and market penetration through friends and family members.
Incidentally, I'm building a computer for a family member and they'll be dual booting with Vista and Ubuntu. It'll be interesting to see which OS he prefers after a few months of use. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -4/+19So is it Linux gonna kill windows? Or does it just have a fighting chance? Cos those two scenarios are petty far apart!
Can't submitters be forced to pass a basic intelligence before they get submitting rights? - kronix2, on 10/10/2007, -0/+14Is there Halo 3 for Windows?
Taking Halo 2 as an indicator, Microsoft will release a ***** port of Halo 3 in 2010 which only works on Windows Seven, despite not relying on DirectX 11. - Phocion55, on 10/19/2007, -2/+16http://www.digg.com/microsoft/Critical_Excel_2007_ ...
http://www.digg.com/microsoft/Microsoft_sued_over_ ...
http://www.digg.com/microsoft/Microsoft_downplays_ ...
http://www.digg.com/microsoft/WGA_failure_12_000_s ...
http://www.digg.com/microsoft/WGA_failure_highligh ...
Pardon me if I'm NOT content with Windows..... - sugarhigh4242, on 10/10/2007, -1/+14Its painfully obvious in the comments that only about 1 Digger actually read this article.
The article is clearly suggesting that the suggestions from the Globalization Institute intending to increase Linux penetration in the EU would increase Windows piracy, turn one linux vendor into another monopoly, and hurt technically-unsophisticated consumers, and basically create a lot of confusion.
He points to widespread subversion of Microsoft's anti-piracy measures as proof that consumers would rather steal Windows than use Linux legally. He concludes that requiring computers to be shipped WITHOUT a pre-installed OS would increase piracy of Windows rather than promote the use of a Linux-based OS.
Toward the end of the piece he comments on the wide variety of distributions and questions the viability of 3rd party vendors testing their software on 1000s of distributions.
The whole thing is quite frankly misinformed anti-linux drivel.
Basically, Digg has been fooled by a headline. - Justathought, on 10/10/2007, -3/+15I think you got it wrong. MS is the one that has been forcing private businesses like Dell and Compaq to bundle Windows with their machines. Why should a bunch of greedy business people force everyone else to buy their product?
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Comes_vs_Microsoft_Peti ...
Only recently has the option of buying a computer from the big OEMs without Windows began to materialize. And it is still not easy. - inactive, on 10/10/2007, -6/+17Linux is now easier to install and configure than Windows with the arrival of Ubuntu. Modern Linux desktop software is easier to use than Windows, and has the advantage of stability and security. MS have missed the boat again with Vista. Windows is now 7 years (at a conservative estimate) behind modern Linux.
Game Over, Microsoft. - matx, on 10/10/2007, -3/+13I just pointed and clicked the red thumbs down on my linux box just then!
- mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+11I'm not saying you should.
But when i want to buy a laptop i am forced to buy an operating system i don't want to have. - NiX0n, on 10/10/2007, -1/+10Who said the "U.S was the most technologically advanced coutnry in the world?" Maybe a decade ago, but certainly not now.
- z0mbie2099, on 10/10/2007, -11/+20Kill it, drive a stake through the heart. It's the only way it'll die.
- Phocion55, on 10/10/2007, -0/+9I find this hilarious.
So when a sufficient driver doesn't exist in Linux, it's Linux's fault. When a sufficient driver doesn't exist for Vista, it's the vendor's fault and angry users threaten class action against that particular company.
O' the hypocrisy! - mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Hopefully it will kill hardware manufacturers that don't supply linux drivers and refuse the release the specs.
- Justathought, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Looks like you haven't tried installing some of the user friendly Linux distros lately.
- Coldkill, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Would you just shut up please?
- mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7The manufacturers can choose for them, as they do now. If they'd just supply any free distro with their hardware. Any nerd can install the distro they want.
- Philluminati, on 10/10/2007, -4/+11See this is the misperception.
The average person doesn't know what Windows is. You say "What operating system have you got?" and they say "internet explorer?" and your like "Windows XP?" and they go "yeah I *think* so".
Users without prior use of Windows, school and college students, first time users will have NO idea what Windows is and how it is *supposedly* better. Infact if they only used Linux they would be baffled why people would ever use Windows. Especially when it's slow, clunky etc with bad support for scripting etc.
The average person who has limited contact with computers won't know what operating system they are using or what an operating system does. The real problem are general office staff / admin. They know what's changed....their desktop background. And things "feel" different. Then they attack the OS because it's been the significant change of which they are rebelling against.
Then there's the l337 crew. Young Windows users, like yourself, who think they are computer experts and give their advice to their aunties and neighbours. Your the *only* ones who know that Linux isn't *just* point and click and it's YOU who are the users that are rebelling as well. The opinion you call "the average users" is 100% YOUR OWN opinion. You cast it on to others as if to say "the idiots of which I am not a member thinks linux is too hard".
Linux is growing FAST, and it's growing in developing countries. As a professional you should notice this trend and learn some fundamentals of Linux as a way of competing in a competitive I.T. jobs market. Linux skills are going to be important skills if trend is anything to go behind, so get some "years of experience" behind you. As I.T. experts were supposed to be on the cutting edge, embracing new technologies now. Linux could well be one. It's certainly going to die that's for sure. Make sure you don't lead yourself down a redundant skill set and make sure if someone puts a Linux machine in front of you, you don't make a fool of yourself. After all your are trying to be an I.T Pro aren't you? - mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+7Windows offers big discounts to manufacturers to not give their customers any other choice but buy windows. They don't subsidize the hardware.
Some companies do pay the manufacturer to install demo crap but i don't think that will offset the added cost of windows. - joelito, on 10/10/2007, -1/+8Industry economics dictating that if you don't buy a certain product you're a pirate?
- doolittle, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7What about continued innovation in OpenGL, and continued use of the PC as a gaming platform?
- fourbissime, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6actually, "the most technologically advanced country" can mean many things. If you are talking about state of the art scientists and all that *****, USA are pretty good. But if you are talking about the penetration of information technologies in everyday life *and* for everyone, then the picture is totally different - countries everywhere like such as Japan, South Korea or Estonia are much more advanced.
- NiX0n, on 10/10/2007, -0/+6The headline is misleading. The EU "Think Tank" is talking about NO OS period. Not Linux preinstalled.
I think you might find this Digg informative
http://digg.com/software/Windows_Is_Free - JQP123, on 10/10/2007, -3/+9"People should buy the O/S and PC separately..."
This makes about as much sense as buying an automobile and it's engine seperately. In each case, the consumer is being sold something less than a fully functional product. A significant amount of work may still required, work that the consumer may not be equipped to do. - twtmc, on 10/10/2007, -2/+8These "nerds on the Internet" are the ones buying their products, dumbass. If you don't listen to your customers, you are a really ***** business.
- mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+7And with increasing open hardware specifications maybe gaming could one day become as easy as inserting a liveDVD. (that way, developers no longer need to support different OS'es, they can include their own with the game)
- Septimus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+67 years? WTF are you on about?
That is a typical fanboy comment.
/posted on Ubuntu laptop... and I don't feel as though I'm seven years ahead of anything. - mithrasinvictus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5it should at least be an option
- jonesin, on 10/10/2007, -3/+8This article makes no sense. Why does he think preinstalled Linux on desktops would increase piracy? If anything, it would lower it.
- nobeastsofierce, on 10/10/2007, -0/+5which is set to the default? Thats where my money is, thats how MS got in the position they are in now
- MacParrot, on 10/10/2007, -1/+6Games may be why kids want a platform, but eventually there has to be something else. Adult casual gamers aren't going to choose a computer based on what games it plays, but what else it can do. Linux needs a unified voice and look in order to make real headway against Microsoft. They already have two of the pieces, it runs on just about any hardware (giving them a leg up on Macs which is limited to Apple's choices) and there is a very dedicated user and development community. Ease of use on the desktop for Joe Stationwagon and Sally Soccermom is all that's left.
- cquinnd, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4I'd say its already changing, both for Linux on the desktop and for Microsoft in the back office.
But the rate of that change will neither be as rapid or dramatic as the promoters of this article would wish it to be. - mgajda, on 10/10/2007, -3/+7This article tries to counter Globalization Insitute's report with unproved and misleading claims. Bury!
- vinayshivakumar, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Why is it that all this happens only in europe and not in america or other parts of the world ? Why dont people in other parts of the world also stand up against this ?
If i have a laptop with a valid copy of windows , and it broke , i will still have to buy a new OS copy when i buy a new laptop - which sounds kinda dumb (evil rather) - Altotus, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5No. That's the recommendation of the EU council. The thought being that it'll provide truer competition and pricing models and force hardware vendors to eschew components that are more generally poorly supported / closed by the component vendor. It would mean that supported hardware would be open or the hardware vendors would be required to make drivers available for the user's OS at their own expense.
- all13d, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4"Linux is now easier to install and configure than Windows with the arrival of Ubuntu. Modern Linux desktop software is easier to use than Windows, and has the advantage of stability and security. MS have missed the boat again with Vista. Windows is now 7 years (at a conservative estimate) behind modern Linux."
Ubuntu has one of the worst linux installers on the market. On both of my PC's, the ubuntu installer crashes 6 or so seconds in unless I unplug my floppy drive.
And easier to configure? Give me a break. Until Joe User can use Linux daily without seeing a config file or a terminal, Linux cannot succeed on the desktop. - millson249, on 10/10/2007, -0/+4Agreed!
- GMorgan, on 10/10/2007, -1/+5Today, students are generally considered to know more about computers than their parents. Different times and different circumstances.
- aiten, on 10/10/2007, -2/+6I can't put my wireless card into promiscuous mode in windows, yet I can in Ubuntu.
Your argument, water, blown out, of. - init100, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I agree completely. Especially that claim about Red Hat having three times as many vulnerabilities as Windows showed that he had no idea what he was talking about. He obviously failed to discount for the fact that Red Hat, like most Linux distributors, ship far more application software than Microsoft ships with Windows. I'm actually surprised that Red Hat didn't have more than three times as many vulnerabilities as Windows given the thousands of packages they ship.
And then there was usual the claim about 1,000 Linux distributions and how hard this is to choose between for the consumer, without mentioning that many of these are specialized distros for narrow use cases, such as router and NAS distros.
The conclusion: The author is incompetent, to say the least. - Altotus, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3:) I always wondered about that. Why is it that the proportion of women to men in Paradise is so skewed? Is it that very few men are worthy? Also, since when did God become a pimp? I must have missed something somewhere.
- IEatHamburgers, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3I dunno, if I was a kid, my parents would probably have a Windows computer at home, and I wouldn't be too happy if I couldn't put all my favorite programs on a school computer. "Whaddya mean MSN won't work on this thing? Screw these school computers!" I wonder if it would expose Linux to kids in a negative fashion.
- init100, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3@honds
"I don't know if I consider rebooting my computer just to play a game "easy""
It could be an option on the disk. Boot with it, and it contains its own OS, insert it while the computer is already running, and an ordinary installation program could start. The boot option would be good for users of non-supported operating systems, since they would still be able to play the game. - plizard, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3if they didn't have an organization, they wouldn't have corporations backing them with donations to keep the os free, *****.
- Leiterfluid, on 10/10/2007, -0/+3Something like that already exists. It's called a "console."
-
Show 51 - 100 of 221 discussions
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is