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Microsoft vs. Ximian

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the blatant-Linux-advocacy-in-the-mainstream-press dept.

Kappelmeister writes "The open source movement gets some great mainstream press today as the Washington Post reports tht Ximian's Volunteer 'Army' Fights Microsoft on Open-Source Code. It mentions Linux progress in the server market, Shared Source, and how both sides are courting Mexican President Vincente Fox for use in his 'eMexico' initiative to get 98 percent of the population online. Best of all, though, it tells a lot of people that there is a decent alternative to Microsoft software."

2 of 308 comments (clear)

  1. decent alternative by Proud+Geek · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'd feel much better about this whole thing if Linux actually were a decent alternative to a M$ Windows desktop. There are certainly places for Linux in a program like this, particularly in the infrastructure. Unfortunately I feel like I'm pushing substandard goods as a Free software advocate in cases like this.

    I know Richard Stallman says we should always use Free software because it is a morally superior thing to do. However I worry about the future when we are using technology that is inferior, just because it may save a bit of money. There are a lot of people counting on this initiative!

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    Even Slashdot wants to hide some things

  2. A decent alternative! by mcrbids · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Boy, stuff like this just makes me laugh. Have you actually USED KDE 2.x?

    As a desktop, it BLOWS WINDOWS AWAY...

    Multiple simultaneous desktops, multiple simultaneous users. Configuring menus in KDE is every bit as easy as configuring the Start menu in Windows. User customizable panel menus (like the start button, 'cept you can have more than one)

    Move programs between desktops with two clicks. (right click -> move to -> desktop X) Lots of games.

    Lots of other nice touches, such as "highlight an URL in ANY program. You immediately get the option to open it in your browser of choice."

    Kmail is super easy to use and supports any number of e-mail accounts, and has an excellent filtering system. Address book support, etc.

    I just migrated an 8-site corporation to Star Office from MS-Office - no complaints; its working great...

    It's very stable, running for weeks on end w/o restarting X-Windows. (note: X-Windows, not operating system)

    In short, what's not the decent offering?

    Sheesh....

    --
    I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.