Slashdot Mirror
Preparation for LinuxWorld Heats Up
BoomZilla writes "Numerous stories abound regarding next week's LinuxWorld in San Francisco.
Reuters has published a report about Sun's upcoming
announcement at the show. Apparently Sun will be revealing its first
general-purpose, low-end Linux machine, and its own version of Linux. In another
article CBS MarketWatch
reports that IBM and RedHat/Dell will also be making major announcements." It'll at least be interesting this year with Microsoft
having a booth. I'll be there as usual, but without a booth, so maybe we can
russle up a party somewhere for Wed night? Anyone know a good place? Perhaps that serves Guinness & Bodingtons? Also, go see the Golden Penguin Bowl since
I'm a contestant this year and will undoubtedly embarass myself terribly.
Sun announcement: We now own Linux and Sun is now the standard.
IBM announcement: We recognize Linux rules.
Red Hat announcement: We suck.
Dell announcement: Microsoft won't let us use Linux.
"I'll be there as usual, but without a booth, so maybe we can russle up a party somewhere for Wed night? Anyone know a good place? Perhaps that serves Guinness & Bodingtons?"
I wonder if this will be the first bar that gets slashdotted...
www.mslinux.org -- tells the whole story. Microsoft is ready to rumble! :-)
Rich people are eccentric. Poor people are strange. Me, I'd be happy with odd.
The Boston Tea Party and what you will do with all MS software you have.
.net, CLI, VisualStudio...
Let's see if we can fill up the MS booth.
You know they are gonna be promoting
I know the LWE 'party' is gonna be at Jillians. Is there a Dave and Busters in San Fran? Great food, drinks, and video games all together :-) Love the one in Austin.
Huh? Another distro? What could Sun's edge over the others be is what I'm wondering. Companies like SuSE/Mandrake already have the low end, RedHat does the middle and Solaris has the high end. So is there going to be a high end Linux?
Oh! Here's an idea. Perhaps McNealy sees this as a chance to return to the Network Computer idea (not a bad one in itself) by having thin client machines running XFree. Suns Linux could be like the LTSP distro.
that this Microsoft booth will put the whole OSS community into serious trouble.
We all know these ultra zealots like RMS et al. These people have only a little self-control if they are writing about closed source systems.
What will such people do if they see a MS booth at the Linux world ?
If they get mad and storm it and chase the poor MS employees around, it will be very easy for the MS PR department to portrait all OSS supporters as raving half-terrorists. This might result in Bush creating laws for prohibiting OSS at the US (at least at universities and colleges).
So they MS booth might provide much harm for OS systems. There is even the possibility that MS especially planned such events.
Owner of a Mensa membership card.
Hard to beat(sic) the Power Exchange @Otis St. Plan to go with a date, stag males pay $75 entry on weekends for the mixed space.
Linux is Linux, if One need clarify their dist: <Dist>/GNU Linux
bsds are of course just BSD
Published last friday on their website:
a nd rakesoftnews/news?n=/mandrakesoft/events/2369
http://www.mandrakesoft.com/company/community/m
__________________
AMD's booth
This year AMD will be welcoming the Mandrakesoft team as partner on their booth. Hammer, AMD's new generation of 64-bits processor, and Mandrake Clustering (Clic project) will be in the spotlight.
Hammer demos
* Demo of the Beta version of the upcoming Mandrake Linux 9.0 on Hammer.
* Use of X 32 bits server running KDE 3.02 64 bits and a Konqueror 64 bits navigator. This server will be linked to a Gigabit Ethernet network. There should also be a charge simulation of 5000 connexions.
Mandrake Clustering (Clic project) demos:
* Use of a cluster of 4 Bi-Athlon XP/MP nodes with GeForce 4.
* Presentation of operations of nodes fast deployment from a server.
* Presentation of the Quake demo on multi screens.
* Presentation of Povray calculations using MPI or PVM technics which show that every node calculates and transmits the information.
HP's booth
On HP's booth, there will be demonstrations of the Bundle Premium, an OEM special offering built by HP and Mandrakesoft under a partnership agreement. This offering is based on HP's Evo desktops associated with Mandrake Linux Standard OEM Edition.
The Bundle Premium consists of 2 CDs and a 100-day per mail support. The first CD offers Mandrake Linux Standard OEM Edition, the second one is loaded with StarOffice 6.0, the reference office suite for Linux. This product is distributed via HP's worldwide network of resellers.
HP will also demonstrate 441 Project Community Computer concept, using the Mandrake Linux distribution. This concept is geared towards educational markets. It could potentially reduce the cost per seat dramatically by sharing the resources of one Evo desktop among 4 users.
IBM's booth
MandrakeSoft recently announced that it will distribute DB2, IBM's famous database software, with its server product. The combination IBM DB2 version 8/Mandrake Linux 8.2 will be exhibited on IBM's booth. This ideal low-cost e-Business solution is likely to open a new era of migration from other platforms.
_____
Great to see that IBM shows interest in Mandrake!
Most Sun customers won't even care what graphics card is in the thing - in fact, most won't ever log in. There are some Sun desktops in the universe (Hello to whoever posts a reply saying they use Sun on the desktop), but the vast majority are headless servers running back-end stuff.
Cheers,
Ian
...if you think RMS is going to storm the M$ booth. Or any of the other self-proclaimed leaders. You might want to do a check on that binary attitude of yours, it seems to be all black or white.
Infuriate left and right
They cannot be so naive as to think they are going to go to such a convention, hoping to win followers. What they are doing is tantamount to inciting a riot for exactly the reasons you stated: many open source zealots have no self control. (Come on, we've all gotten fired up from a conversation with a half-witten MS drone.) This is no different from going up to PennState's main campus, standing in the college town, shouting "PennState Football SUCKS!" then throwing a garbage can. It will cause a riot. Microsoft standing in at a Linux convention, shouting "Open Source SUCKS!" then throwing thriw software around. It's no different. Hopefully, no violence or misbehavior will come of this. (MS, afterall, are certainly paying their dues to have a booth.) However, if it does, the picture will be painted and open source gets its credibility knocked down a thousand points.
What needs to happen is exactly the opposite, and it needs to be documented. There needs to be a few groups of well-educated indivudals who know software and the market well. They need to go to that booth, followed by a few idiots with cameras, and demonstrate a clean, friendly, intelligent conversation with the MS people. Nobody needs to trip anyone else up. Either party needs to show respect, and if MS can't do that all the better. It will make open source supporters appear mature, level-headed, and above all else, credible in a corporate sense, especially since both sides will ask the tough questions.
Why bother.
There's a little pub right across from the Metreon on Mission st. that serves guiness (and I think boddingtons), that's the closest one I know close to Moscone. Alternatively, there's a pub with pool tables on Columbus about half way between North Beach and the wharf that serves $2 guiness draws on weekdays! FYI.
Actually MS will be promoting and supporting the CLI (Common Language Infrastructure) Technology within
But they are not going to tell you Cornering the autocoding market is what they are planning to do.
And they do realise the GNU Freesoftware and Open Source Software communities don't have their (MS) resources to do it faster or better than MS.
I would not be so quick to just write off another Linux distro.
It may be very important that it comes from SUN.
And, it is not because Linux needs another distro either.
Rather it is because SUN will package hardware and software and sell the package to corporate accounts. HPaq, IBM and others do not do that. DELL is beat up by the criminals running Microsoft everytime they try.
But, SUN has not deal with Microsoft. They do not have to squeeze terms out of the illegal operation. They can just put together the hardware/software that works and works well and begin their marketing. And, Linux on the desktop needs that very much.
When corporations start buying 1,000 orders of SUN Linux and boxen, the other OEMs in the business will be forced to tell Microsoft to stuff their obusive terms. And, that will make all the difference in the world.
Do you really think Hpaq and IBM is going to just let SUN have all the corporate business for Linux on the desktop? Hpaq does offer a few Linux desktop solutions but they are limited. And, they are not across the board.
That dynamic can all change when SUN enters that marketplace. And, selling linux desktops does not erode their service business either. That would be the entry into a market which they presently do not participate in. And, that could be more significant than SUN adding itself to the list of Linux Server suppliers.
What will they do? Ignore the corporate desktop market? Or, package a fine white box, Linux and StarOffice? And, sell, promote and support them by the thousands? That is something that HPaq and IBM do not do.
NexuSys - Linux support by the best
...as Environmentalist picket the convention, calling for Linux users to lower the production of heat to stave off global warming. One of the picketers was reported as saying he was offended that such an environmentally unfriendly convention had a penguin as it's mascot-- the anti-thesis of the environmenally harmful rally.
You need a FREE iPod Nano
It almost doesn't matter what happens at the MS booth, the result will be good for those guys.
.NET-based interoperability features and the goodness of XML. That will certainly reduce MS' tainted image of being a monopolist, they might even be starting a new niceguy campaign!
As has been pointed out in earlier posts: open source zealots attacking the booth will help MS to discredit the whole community and Linux as an operating system.
Maybe MS will even announce some
Perhaps the most stupid thing they could do is trying to sabotage the Expo with deconstructive criticism and blatant WindowsXP demos. The resulting uproar would bring them in on the frontpage of most internet news pages and make for some great indirect advertizing.
So there is not much that could turn out negative for MS at this. Maybe the best from a Linux point of view would be some sort of support by MS (e.g. Office suite), even though it is unlikely to happen. Anyway let's just hope the community won't embarass itself out there!
hahahahaha :)
well i guess ur right.. maybe the code needs some spagetti sauce
The lunatic is in my head
Interesting to see that the Slashdot booth went from the huge right-next-to-the-front-door booth with piles of beanbag chairs and the PT Cruiser to.. well, as Taco said, no booth at all.
I wonder if SGI will be there at all. They used to have cool booths.
The free t-shirt count has dwindled too. Kind of sad to see Linux World Expo shrinking year after year.
Microsoft has no good intentions for the LWCE. I have come to learn that they intend to only do two things: promote their Services For Unix software and promote Windows XP Embedded.
I have been trying to find the original Newsforge article with that information, but I've only been able to find the article at Eweek.com.
They try to make it out as though it's really about talking to customers that need to work in a mixed environment, but I have my doubts. They also try to make it out as being a dialog between them and the rest of the OSS and Free Software communities.
// file: mice.h
#include "frickin_lasers.h"
Imagine this.
MS shows up at major Linux event with booth.
MS hires a bunch of rowdies to come cause trouble at MS booth, badmouthing MS, etc.
A bunch of reporters with cameras show up to document, because they received anonymous coward tip to "expect something interesting at the MS booth".
I'll see your senator, and I'll raise you two judges.
I put together some bumper stickers for a friend who will be there. He printed a bunch and will be giving them away (perhaps accepting donations to defray printing costs).
The stickers he's offering are the top two from this site: http://www.halley.cc/ed/linux/slogans.html
I wonder how the "convicts" sticker will go over with the Microsoft crowd. ;)
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But what they are doing is preventing anybody from selling dual boot machines. In the current environement and with enough FUD from MicroSoft this is pretty effectively the same as preventing them from selling Linux, since nobody is willing to try it without the ability to retreat back to MicroSoft.
I don't quite agree with your suggestions for responding to MS, but that is a very accurate description of how Microsoft treats its competitors AND its customers. It goes from "well, you need a license, but who's checking, wink wink," to "you have one month to show proof of compliance." From "Here, have a free media player with your OS" to "Oh, by the way we have permission to disable competing products on your computer."
MS makes some very useable software, but their business philosophy of "shortest possible path to having you by the balls" is more and more unappealing every day.
The requested URL
The Hitler comparison is pretty nauseating. Did anyone else not find that funny? I don't like MS or use their products either, but Christ. . .
Microsoft documents apparently have something to reveal.
It does not sound like lack of demand had anything to do with it.
Sounds more and more like additional illegal activity.
The following is taken from the opening statement by the States.
1. Microsoft held a series of meetings with Dell in regard to linux
2. Meetings involved both Gates and Ballmer
3. Microsoft does not sell a linux distro
4. Microsoft needs to remind Dell why it is smart to partner with Microsoft
5. Dell feels a need to discuss linux with Microsoft? (does he need permission from the godfather?)
6. Ballmer is urged to make certain that Dell understands it is untenable for Dell to be marketing linux
7. Ballmer suggests that Gates give Dell somewhat of a hard time (Ballmer suggests that Gates brown nose Dell)
8. Dell in June of 2001 informs Microsoft (the crime family) that Dell has canceled their linux business unit
9. Does not smell like lack of market demand at all
Is this testimony? No, just statements from the States based upon Microsoft documents.
But, does this sound like a lack of marketing demand nixed Redhat on Dell desktops? Not to me it does not.
It sounds like Dell thinks that Microsoft Corporation has to approve any contracts that Dell might want to sign with others. (Or, they have to cancel if Microsoft does not approve.)
Lewis A. Mettler, Esq. (lamlaw.com)
NexuSys - Linux support by the best
How come Dell is still in the mix if they are not allowed to sell machines without an MS operating system inside anymore? How does that fit?
unfortunatly or not so as the case may be, you were on the 'winning' side.
This will probably get slamed by all and sundry but hell someones got to put the very minority point accross.
Hitler or at least fachisim was embraced by a huge populas, he had his own views and methods be then right or wrong but people stood by him.
Today large corperations opperate in a very simila manner, governments think there great, look at all the jobs etc... but it's the things they take away from you, you freedomes and rights that are getting undermined.
How many people die of anarexia and suffer in pain because of an image portraied in the media.
How many people suffer in the greed that up until a few hundred years ago they never knew.
hitler all but wiped out the gypsies, today 'democracy' and 'WIPO' etc.. are in the process of wiping out all kinds of freedomes and cultures.
The winning side always writes the histroy books, just think about what they might say about Microsoft and the RIAA in a hundred years time?
thank God the internet isn't a human right.
When you buy Sun hardware you get what you pay for. If you believe Sparc processors are slow then you have fallen for the Mhz myth. Raw Mhz doesn't equal a faster cpu. Any processor that still has the heart of the 8088 and the 286 in it will never be faster that a risc processor. Until Intel and Amd drop x86 backwards compatibility, x86 will never be faster that Sparc, or nay other risc platform.
Hello to you, too.
What comes first, finding a teacher or becoming a student?