[MLUG - DISCUSSION] Re: [MLUG] Sun, Microsoft Pact Viewed As 'Unholy Alliance' AgainstLinux, IBM

[Michael <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

>That sounds like an apt description of the microsoft approach.
>Generally, they keep the bugs so that we'll have a reason to upgrade.
>Their OS enjoys a monopoly, so its only real competition is the earlier
>version of the OS.  How to compete with that?  Don't fix the bugs until
>the next version comes out, then don't fix all of them.
>  
>
I think they're finding that this approach doesn't work so well now that 
they are actually having some competition.

>I'm not sure.  If Solaris and Windows are to be integrated, couldn't that
>mean more security problems for Solaris?  Solaris has a solid, stable OS
>(SPARC version running on their SPARC processors), but much of their
>software has been crap when compared with open source.
>  
>
Possibly, but I don't expect them to try porting NT code directly to 
Solaris. More likely they're share API's and possibly look at source 
code to find those secret tricks M$ likes to use to make their software 
intergrate better than any competitors. There could be some security 
issues involved just by implementing M$ technology but probably no more 
than running Samba. I expect they'll make some effort to maintain the 
quality of Solaris. As I said, I actually expect code to be taken from 
Solaris andd merged into NT much more than vice versa.

>I can believe that.  Competition is a good thing.  But remember that Linux
>has very little money going into R&D while MS and Sun have billions for
>that.
>  
>

Which is a major reason why Linux watches what works or doesn't work for 
others and takes cues from them. There is a major cost benefit to being 
one step behind the bleeding edge.. as well as a stability factor for 
users of that technology. Also there are thousands, if not millions, of 
opensource geeks inventing new concepts in their spare time. Will any of 
this make it into the mainstream? Some. It takes time to go mainstream 
as does any experimental stuff. I wouldn't underestimate opensource's 
R&D though..

>If history is any example, MS will announce plans to make certain changes
>so that UNIX developers can integrate their systems more effectively with
>Windows, but then MS will produce something unexpected that integrates
>nicely (in some secret way) with Solaris and does not do what they had
>promised.  They'll say "oh, sorry, we had a change of plans."  Meanwhile,
>all the other companies have wasted months preparing for something that
>will never happen.  Then their businesses will be failing and MS will buy
>them out.  Couldn't happen?  I hope you're right.
>  
>
I can see them trying it but I don't think it'll work for them. While 
they are using smoke and mirrors Linux will be making real progress. If 
they stand around playing tricks Linux will eat their lunch. To keep 
their head start on the market they need to get some real work done. I 
think Mr Gates is shrewd enough to see that. Meanwhile they keep passing 
SCO money under the table to undermine Linux as much as they can for as 
long as they can.

>I hope you're right.  It might hurt Linux only by slowing Solaris users
>from migrating to Linux.
>  
>
Really migration of users isn't Linux's biggest market.. new users are.. 
which is why Microsoft is so afraid. There are a lot of new users 
Microsoft hasn't been able to reach yet and Linux is making large 
inroads in those markets. It's still quite possible for Linux to become 
the #1 OS. China alone is such a huge potential market that it could 
make or break Microsoft's monopoly. Not only is Linux taking new users 
that have never used computers before but also it's taking new markets 
that have never been dominated by Microsoft. For example, PC-equiv 
embedded systems are definately a strong area for Linux but not for Windows.
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