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

[Mike Miller <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

On Sat, 3 Apr 2004, Michael wrote:

Liz wrote:
> > So what are normal beings like myself to do.  If it's all true.  Yes
> > Windows may go os x but when they have a steady or gaining markey its
> > going to be the same old song and dance again, faulty software that
> > won't do what you want unless you buy more software, bigger computer,
> > more software bigger computer.  Doesn't work, lets virus in, more
> > software, bigger computer.

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 don't think it's really bad. This should produce improvements in both
> Solaris and Windows while doing no significant harm to Linux.

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.


> Any improvements in Solaris or Windows will spure Linux develops to
> improve Linux. No doubt it'll spure development in MacOS and other Unix
> variants also.

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.


> So from a consumer point of view this is good. It'll cause greater
> competition especially in the area of Unix-Windows compatibility.

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.


> Also I think the fact that Sun & Microsoft specificly mentioned doing
> this as a move against Linux validates how strong a threat Linux is
> becoming to them.  Linux isn't a company so there is no way for them to
> buy it or put it out of business so there is really nothing they can do
> to harm Linux by this move.

I hope you're right.  It might hurt Linux only by slowing Solaris users
from migrating to Linux.

Mike
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