What is Digg?234 Comments
- inactive, on 01/11/2008, -18/+68as long as the kids get the computers i dont really care
- fkr3, on 01/11/2008, -3/+40They don't need to stop it. The kids aren't learning linux they're learning to double click an icon to open a program. Big difference.
- latova, on 01/11/2008, -2/+31Why should you have to find ways around it? Its your computer.
- CrimsonBlur, on 01/11/2008, -22/+48Actually, no. Apple's Mac OS, now that is an OS all about restriction of choice. Windows? That is the OS that opened up the floodgates to everyone. I don't care what you think about Microsoft as a company, but Windows is not any more "restrictive" than Linux. The only difference is the OS code is open-source. That doesn't restrict anyone from writing programs for Windows or installing it on their computers. So how exactly is Microsoft Windows restrictive? I don't see anyone complaining about how restrictive Windows is other than the 1% of computer users that are the types pushing for the use of OGG and don't want to pay for anything.
I don't get why everyone is so intent on concentrating only on Microsoft and Windows when there are plenty of other companies doing the same things. As far as proprietary file formats, restrictive software and DRM is concerned, Apple is much worse, and their market share is growing rapidly. Why is no one complaining about Apple? - TunaFisu, on 01/11/2008, -1/+18modify the kernel?
- niallabrown, on 01/11/2008, -38/+53The windows OS is all about restriction of choice. When people say that not offering windows as an option is restricting choice, it's like saying you can kill someone because you live in a country where you are free. You are free to do as you choose but only if you do not restrict others freedom. Windows is not a free platform due to it's DRM-books, proprietary file formats, faux open standards and many many other restrictive technologies, it doesn't encourage community and it doesnt encourage people to create content that is relevant to their country.
- Koppie, on 01/11/2008, -2/+16Not at all. "Click the icon and the program runs" sounds simple, but non-techies are intimidated by ANYTHING different. Change the colors of the window decorations and they'll freak out. But if they grow up knowing that Linux is friendly and easy, that makes a huge difference.
- dansmeek, on 01/11/2008, -5/+18wow, i was expecting people to be outraged at microsoft in the comments here. instead i here linux bashing, open-source bashing, os-x bashing, and how windows "isn't all that bad."
don't you guys see that the Microsoft monopoly is going to encourage future generations to stick to windows style "in the box" thinking.. as opposed to creative or intuitive or (buzz-word) "outside of the box."
if microsoft is indeed just throwing money at the situation to eliminate the threat of opensource and linux (to ensure that when these kids grow up they have new generations of people to invest in windows) they are more vile than i ever suspected.
but i'm sure msft shareholders will be happy to hear this. - inactive, on 01/11/2008, -3/+15This article
http://www.scragged.com/articles/disrupting-tyrant ...
explains a bit of the background behind why 3rd world tyrants also oppose OLPC along with Microsoft. - Cryoniq, on 01/11/2008, -2/+14Sugar OS is the way it is out of a good reason. The OLPC is all about an environment that is build upon simplicity, energy effective, stable and more solutions. There is no way a windows OS will be able to pop into that machine and be even near as energy effective and stable, nor functional. And at the same time there are no need to a windows like OS in such a machine either. That would be overkill and in the end cause major problems for everyone around. We all know where the road end up at when it come to Microsoft solutions.. in a bad place. Actually that is to 99% true in any case where money talks. And money talks way too much over at Microsoft.
- norman619, on 01/11/2008, -0/+11The reason Windows has market dominance goes back to IBM's decision to open up their PC architecture allowing people to make PC clones back in the 80's. Once that was done cheap PC's flooded the market and Windows/DOS were poised to take advantage of that singular opportunity. If Apple had allowed their OS to be installed on any hardware platform they would most likely be the dominant OS.
- Helfax, on 01/11/2008, -1/+12That is certainly an important part of the equation. However, while Microsoft is a dominate force in the desktop market, do we really need them always getting involved in areas where they weren't really wanted?
It is like having a great party and then "THAT" guy shows up uninvited. - geminitojanus, on 01/11/2008, -5/+16Bruce Perens, lowering yourself to Digg? I never thought I'd see the day...
- davemak, on 01/11/2008, -0/+10I can see a day when cheap ultra portables running open source software like the Asus Eee PC will be just as affordable as the OLPC one really soon.
- inactive, on 01/11/2008, -1/+10Windows is the dominant OS because IBM willed it. Without IBMs support Microsoft would be a BSD or Linux variant...and their market share would be the same. It is NOT because Microsoft had the dominant operating system. There were few operating systems and IBM went with Microsoft. That is the ONLY thing that gave Microsoft the market. Then Microsoft turned around and stabbed IBM around the time that OS2 came out. Had IBM done as Apple had...and grabbed the platform by licensing it, then I think Microsoft would be a tiny tiny tiny niche player, but they did not. The platform was out of the bag.
Apple saw this happen and so has never let the platform out of their control.
You asked...that is why Microsoft is where it is. Not because they had twenty thousand people working for them on OSes. They had like five to ten people when they started. - pyrotix, on 01/11/2008, -2/+11im in ur social nooz sites
postin ron paulz - inactive, on 01/11/2008, -4/+13norman619, your question alone says that you are not a geek...you are a useless troll. Haven't you ever just wanted to goof around with the internals of a computer? It sure is neat to get into OpenBSD or Linux and get to mess around with the internals of an operating system, then watch it work from the command shell. There is a lot more to life than just buying something and clicking on widgets to see work that others put online. Try doing some of your own systems work and see what benefits you get...some intellect and being able to answer your own question maybe.
- cronian, on 01/11/2008, -2/+10Is OPLC going to bring outsourcing software development to child laborers in Africa? How will that impact the world?
- Phocion55, on 01/11/2008, -1/+9Let's ask MS if we can also dual boot Linux on the Intel Classmates, then.
They shouldn't have a problem with that since they're all about giving the children options...
Right?........................................ - niallabrown, on 01/11/2008, -0/+8It's actually more than just the OS, for example, virtually every computer user han been forced for years to use MS Office due to vendor lock-in of the .doc proprietary format and you are trying to tell me that you are free to do what you want with Microsoft products? Even if YOU don't mind this there are many who do and cannot afford to pay for these sorts of games. Third world children defiantly can't afford to be locked in to expensive products as they become adults. Everything Microsoft does is to ensure they maintain control over you and that you must continue paying for ONLY their products over and over.
- Remmy, on 01/11/2008, -2/+9Instead of everyone saying Linux BAD! or Microsoft BAD! How about we just be happy that these kids are getting something that they otherwise would probably have never been able to use? Isn't that what's important here?
- razor150, on 01/11/2008, -1/+8MS is making a version of XP for OLPC.
- Phocion55, on 01/11/2008, -6/+13Anti-competitive practices as usual. Just another day at the office for MS.
God forbid a child isn't brainwashed into using Windows for the rest of his/her life. - smacksaw, on 01/11/2008, -1/+8Though if you read your software licence from Microsoft, it's not your OS to modify, disassemble, hack, etc as you please.
- mikelieman, on 01/11/2008, -1/+8I don't see a compiler in Windows basic installation.
- Phocion55, on 01/11/2008, -1/+8I own an OLPC, and it has some AMAZING tools for *children*
Unless you think children should be doing spreadsheets in Excel. - Flamekebab, on 01/11/2008, -3/+10Most paid-for apps I've used have been sub-standard.
- andycr512, on 01/11/2008, -1/+7"I can tell you what you can't do on Linux if you like."
In terms of the actual OS, or in terms of software available for it? If it's in terms of software available for it, don't bother; I can name quite a bit of software packages I use but can't run on Windows too. - inactive, on 01/11/2008, -3/+9I always thought the point was that when you learn Linux, you don't just learn Linux, you learn how computers work (which is why Linux is so "hard to use".) However, if their version of Linux is as weak as some have said, I think OLPC is pointless. If you want to move these kids into the future as it were, it's not going to be by clerical ***** like learning to type in a word processor, it's going to be actual computer science. Which you learn from Linux - not Windows.
- inactive, on 01/11/2008, -1/+7Yeah...do you also see Google moving out of hte search and advertising business?
- Atomic1fire, on 01/11/2008, -0/+6except that would mean teaching kids text messaging instead of english
- krnldmp, on 01/11/2008, -2/+8Microsoft is simply unnecessary for OLPC. How will it make that profitable?
- WiseElben, on 01/11/2008, -0/+6What do you mean this is "Microsoft's solution?" The laptops are running Fedora, and from the reports I've seen, Fedora is holding up well. It looks like Microsoft is now just trying to gain a slice of the pie. If MS really wants to help these countries, why not fund OLPC's R&D or something rather than trying to push their products into already solid products.
Also, the author talks about the DRM restrictions MS would place. What these children need is a platform that will enable them to explore freely, not a platform that will restrict them according to their (or their government's) financial abilities. - Bicep, on 01/11/2008, -2/+8The focus of the article isn't about how "great" OLPC is, rather it's pointing out how corporate Microsoft is trying to strengthen its monopoly through proliferation of its profit machine to those who aren't in the position to do anything about it. Sounds kinda like the American OEM PC market doesn't it? What absolutely kills me is that people will so fiercely shove it down all our throats that Windows is "So Great", and then call people who support choice and open standards and interoperable computer systems "fan boys for Linux".
Do get me wrong, helping OLPC is a good thing. Using a completely proprietary system that isn't made up of open standards to do it is a bad thing.
"...Microsoft is working to reduce choice."
This totally sucks.
Windows has been in the business of sodomizing technology for several years now. The problem for Microsoft is that many prominent countries of the world (maybe not so much the non-choice-having, OEM buying "stupid consumer" American) is realizing it and taking steps against it (as in open standards).
For all those who say there shouldn't be a choice, quit trying to ruin it for the rest of us (including many other prominent countries in the world) that support technology as an enabler for humans rather than a means to systematically restrict users and having them pay money for it all the while.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a patriot. It just makes me sick to see people saying "hooray for less choice"! - proficient, on 01/11/2008, -3/+8This is outrageous!
- Phocion55, on 01/11/2008, -0/+56 year olds making spreadsheets? You gotta be ***** insane.
Let them explore, create, and share first. The dull spreadsheet tasks should come later on. - Zarokima, on 01/11/2008, -2/+7
lolz microcock ur so witty - kingfoot, on 01/11/2008, -2/+7you should care. i constantly hear kids talking about windows this and windows that at my high school, and alway talking about how screwed up they are and always having issues, yet when someone says to get a mac or even (to the more tech oriented) get lunix, they just shrug and say i dont like it. and for the sole reason that they "dont know how to use it" because theyve been using windows for years in school. they have this absurd notion that because its windows, all their work for school will be better. not even kidding.
im glad im graduating in 4 months.
it isnt a monopoly. its brainwash. - kingfoot, on 01/11/2008, -0/+5of course i did mean linux (slight dyslexia sorry)...
- Ryosen, on 01/11/2008, -1/+6Those "Open Sourcers" that you're complaining about happen to develop a ton of software for the Windows platform. I'm willing to bet that you're using a lot of it, too.
- einfeldt, on 01/11/2008, -0/+5IMHO, the OLPC is an example of the smaller but growing Linux-centric business network starting to suck applications and customers out of the larger Microsoft-centric business network. If Microsoft does not succeed in derailing the OLPC and the EEE pc and the gOS PC and the Shuttle KPC and the Nokia n880 and the UMPCs and the Google Android phones and the many others that will follow, it will find that these small, inexpensive units will gradually grow in complexity of function and pose an increasingly large threat to Microsoft's business model. Microsoft's business model is wrapped around leveraging the advantage of a large install base. If the competing markets in cheap PCs starts to reach a magic number, say 25% of the market, Microsoft's lock on the market could be weakened enough such that it can no longer control all of the distribution chains.
I admire Bruce Perens, but I disagree with his conclusion that Microsoft will control this space. I think that GNU Linux has gotten a solid start in this space, and won't be able to be eradicated.
Christian Einfeldt,
Producer, The Digital Tipping Point - mumblyjoe, on 01/11/2008, -0/+5Funny you should mention that. Microsoft has tried repeatedly to prevent that.
- pej63, on 01/11/2008, -4/+8Oh please...can someone please stop this MS Linux flamewar. I'm just so sick of hearing the same discussion over and over again.
When there was no Linux, Microsoft ruled the world and before that there was IBM...Geez I've been in the business for 30 years now and these thing will never stop.
Why argue?, It's just *****' technology...In 30 years from now there won't be Microsoft, there won't be Linux. There will be something completely different.
Get up on the roof and invent something better, don't complain about this and that. - darkvad0r, on 01/11/2008, -0/+4Why did this turn into an Apple vs Windows argument?
Apple is not trying to undermine the OLPC efforts, are they? Not to say that they don't try to restrict choice, but let's leave the apple vs windows flame wars out of this issue please - norman619, on 01/11/2008, -0/+4You can add PC's to that list. When I help someone with their PC and I have to go inside to replace a part they have this look of awe as I am going it. You'd think they were seeing alien technology or magic. Most people seem to be clueless about how the PC works even though they are in just about every electronic device we we have.
- jkizzle, on 01/11/2008, -1/+5get a clue, and RTFA
- chrisaug18, on 01/11/2008, -1/+5What is this digg everybody down day or something?
- mikelieman, on 01/11/2008, -0/+4"FOLLOWING THE HERD" isn't the way to develop any competitive advantage.
- mvent2, on 01/11/2008, -1/+5The alternative was OLPC being released on schedule and on price. But MS stepped in and demanded beefier hardware so they could support Windows, which drove cost up. The only "difference" MS wants to make is making sure these kids are locked into Windows just like a lot of western world computer users are. MS makes ***** products but as long as they have lock-in they survive; thats how it works.
- Ryosen, on 01/11/2008, -0/+4Sorta like cars, electricity and microwave ovens?
-
Show 51 - 100 of 220 discussions
Check out the new & improved 
© Digg Inc. 2009
— Content created and posted by Digg users is