Top five things Linux Doesn’t Have to Learn from MS

Tux
Tux doesn’t need to be a copy-cat, and got his own style.

Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols has written an article titled “Top five things Linux can learn from Microsoft“, where he mentions …. well the title says it all. Though I agree with some of his thesis, there are few that I totally disagree.

First he mentions that Linux could use something like MSDN, where developers are provided with help in writing applications ! “quote” using Microsoft products and programming tools. Well, let’s presume that Novell+Redhat in colaboration start providing something like “NRDN - Novell Redhat Developer Network” - where products of only these companies are provided for Linux developers …… the question –> do you need that?

Then he mentions that MSDN provides with well-written tutorials, best practices guides, the latest betas and so forth ….. isn’t all that available for Linux on the Internet, besides what is then open source all about!

Common Interface - what! I do not need common interface for KDE and GNOME and other desktop environments. Where is then the choice and philosophy suite yourself - use what you like the most and is better option for your particular hardware. Besides all my applications look quite good, no matter in which DE I am using and whether it is QT and/or GTK based. All you need is to setup the system correctly and use the balanced options - in terms of themes, icons, colors, etc. It is not that difficult.

One thing that I agree is that the KDE, GNOME, XFCE, Enlightenment, and others should work together to make this easier on end-user side and maybe even share “global settings”, no matter which DE is being used. I need choices to be there, period.

“The problem is that, even now, it doesn’t have enough support. I’m looking forward to the day when all Linux and open-source applications can read and write to ODF.“ Not having “enough” support - from where? The world is 90% MS owned! Already quite a lot of Linux applications can handle ODF and the list is growing day by day.

“A major reason why Microsoft stays on top is that they’ve continued to pay hundreds of millions every year on marketing and advertising.“ Is there anything new about that. All know very well that MS is one of the best marketting companies to exist on this planet and surely Linux (not a commercial entity) cannot pose such threat to MS using millions of dollars. But then Novell, Redhat, Canonical and some other, including governments, are trying their best. Nothing to learn here from MS … period.

“Why do you think Linux sites, like this one, Linux Today, and many others have Microsoft ads running on them? Because, Microsoft buys the ad space, and the Linux companies almost never do. It’s that simple.“ On this I will be personal - Do I need MS adds, or rather, will I have MS adds on sites that I host and are dedicated to Open Source and Linux … think NEVER. But I will host adds (even for free) for Bill’s charity foundation … getting my point.

“Why? Because while the total number of Linux users is still growing, it’s no longer growing explosively. Linux is no longer the newest, most exciting kid on the block.“ Who is then - Windows (again!) or OS X or perhaps BeOS and AmigaOS?

“Once the HPs and Dells see that there’s money to be made from the Linux desktop, they’ll come on board, and then, and only then, can we start talking seriously about any so-called year of the Linux desktop.“ Some have already, and stats already show that thanks to Linux HP was able to sell more notebooks in India. You already are getting notebooks in market which are Linux certified and I am getting one next time.

Of course Linux vendors have to pull strings to get their distribution to be pre-installed. Doesn’t AMD has to pull strings$$$)

“Linux may never have the universal hardware support that Windows gets, but its supporters have to try with all their might and influence to get as much open-source driver support as possible.” I am cool with closed source drivers as long as they have good support for Linux and work on par with that of drivers for other platforms. Open sourcing drivers is really good, and what should be the ideal solution, but companies have commercial secrets which I understand (relates to drivers only).

So, as you see I had little some-some to say about his thesis. I understand that not all will agree with my points, but still.

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Comment by Justin on July 26, 2006

ah wow such a really great post. An interesting look. I always love coming back here to check out your blog, really informative, a great source on anything ‘open source’. Great job!

Comment by Lee on July 26, 2006

Sorry but I dont think you have made any notable points in your post. It’s just sounds like a typical Linux fanboy argument for the sake of arguing back to a comment that involves slightly positive comments about MS. The original article has some valid points not all i agreed with but valid none the less.

Cheers

Comment by Sqeaky on July 26, 2006

You sir are a linux apologist/zealot/insert other non open minded term. The fact of the matter is that linux is not currently #1, and therefore has something it can improve upon. Discounting everthing thisother individual stated is likely to be folly!

Check this out, it is for mono
http://www.go-mono.com/docs/
it has made my life so much easier. If there were tools like this for every development platform and system, my job would be too easy. More documention, and more communication is rarely a bad thing.

I agree with you completely on the subject of desktop enviroments, multiples are good, but integrated multiples are better. Simply ignoring the lack of advertising won’t help either, advertising is critical to gain more than marginal market. Someone has to do it, and there isn’t enough of it being done. Yes there is some OEM and driver support, but it is obviously second rate or lip service for the most part.
Once one vendor seriously backs linux, I think it will start being a self feeding cycle until it is on par with MS solutions, in terms of marketshare. But no vendor with any major Dealings with MS is really throwing their back into it, are they? I wonder if MS has done something, like provide incentives for oems against linux, or worse, maybe even threatened them! This battle is going to occur in three places, in the courtroom, on billboards(or tv or whatever), and in the technology.

Simply ignoring places that your team could improve, is no way to improve your team.

- Sqeaky
http://www.freetechsupport.su

Comment by E@zyVG on July 26, 2006

# I never mentioned that Linux doesn’t have to improve
# You prove my point - you managed to find excellent docs, the developer package simply on the web, without any xxDN. I think this type of tool is as well available for other solutions
# Integrity is what should be, and I mentioned that by saying sharing “global settings”.
# Ignoring advertising … never said that. You missed the whole point. As you can see there are tonnes of Linux related ads on the web. My point was totally different.
# Driver support - second rate it is, and that is sad. What did I say wrong about that?
# Wondering if MS has provided incentives to their partners, or worse, threatened … think and u will find the answer. Guess … think of Enron.
# I am not ignoring, rather am voicing my opinion, as found above in the post.

What you tried to point me out is simple market economy rules, and am well aware with that. Still tank you for your opinion.

Comment by Raseel on July 31, 2006

I think the two main points that the OP wants to make is the “Freedom of choice”.
The fact that you have SO MANY choices for almost all and any applications on Linux is in itself its greatest victory. Numero Deux, the ability to be able to contribute to the Open Source community. And not just for one-off applications and drivers, but to the mainstream apps and even the Kernel itself is a high like none other.