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Is Linux Dead?

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the dead-as-a-fox-baby dept.

TunkeyMicket writes "It appears MSNBC is reporting that Linux has failed as an operating system. By citing the large Linux hype as reason for Linux to be dominating the market, they draw the conclusion that the "open source" alternative has flopped as an operating system. They briefly mention the success of Linux in the server community, but really the article gives Linux as little credit as possible."

2 of 903 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Read the article... by Nygard · · Score: 4, Interesting
    It gives the appearance of balance, but still contains a tremendous amount of spin. Consider:
    • Open source is always written in quotes: "open source", giving a subtle message that this label isn't completely honest.
    • It describes Linux developers as a loose confederation of programmers who aren't paid for their work. (My emphasis.) Notice the reversal of power implied here, as if some external entity is withholding pay, rather than the programmer's themselves giving freely.


    It is these type of subtle messages that constitute "spin control" of the part of the article's author.

    --
    "Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped." --Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915)
  2. Future generations... by emil · · Score: 4, Interesting

    ...will point to this time and say "2002 was the year Microsoft lost the war."

    Why will they say this?

    • A free office suite has become available.
    • Microsoft is raising prices for Office and the OS while the market slumps.
    • Mozilla turns 1.0.
    • Lindows goes mainstream.
    • The sentencing phase of the trial is complete.
    • The avalanche of private civil suits begins.

    But then again, I still don't understand why SQL Server is selling so well when the same codebase can be obtained for free from linux.sybase.com.

    Still, free software is a flood that is rising around Microsoft, and Microsoft is busy trying to build something that floats. It is unlikely that they will succeed, given the importance of their legacy support.