Slashdot Mirror
Changing Face of Linux?
standards writes "Reuters is reporting that pony-tailed Linux Users have been seen mingling with executives in short-sleeved golf shirts. The article suggests that real technology guys don't wear shorts, T-shirts or baseball caps." the article is mostly about the business focus of Linux these days, although I think the writer is a couple years late since I think this was really the case about 4 LinuxWorld's ago ;)
Wall Street loves Linux!
VA Software
Redhat
An interesting chart with comparisons
I have been pwned because my
Rant level: high.
Why, oh why, must every non-technical magazine make these 3 stupid things every time there is a linux article?
stupid thing 1: Every linux article seems to mention that only X% of the _sold_ servers are running linux.
And non-internet servers? What about intranet servers. file servers and so on?
What about all those servers that the admin has bought a $5 magazine with a linux CD and installed linux on?
stupid thing 2: Linux users spent only $80 million on the software, less than one percent of the amount spent on all operating systems for all computers.
yes, what is so suprising with this? even if you buy a boxed version with support it's still a lot cheaper then windows.
Why can't a single article mention this?
stupid thing 3: Linux sales are expected to grow...
yes... that's good. But what about _actual_ usage?
Don't forget all those computer that uses a downloaded or magazine bundled copy.
I all basicly boils down to one thing.
There is no way to really know how many computers/servers are running linux.
So stop compare it with how many windows/other servers there are.
You feel sleepy. Close your eyes. The opinions stated above are yours. You cannot imagine why you ever felt otherwise.
Really?
(/me looks down at shorts and "Got Root?" t-shirt, as well as Teva sandals)
Hmm, guess I must not be a "real technology guy".
Seriously, who do these people think they're kidding? There will *always* be a contingent of us who wear shorts and t-shirts, and quite frankly we don't *care* what other people think of that.
To conclude, I leave you with a quote:
Nathan's blog
Strange how fashion at times has come down to un-practicality, proving chic-ness and how rich you are by how impractical your actions are.
Blue bloods were called that because they were so pale that their veins showed through their skin. They weren't like the field workers, out in the sun all day, and they wanted to prove it. Now that normal jobs are inside and not outside, I find it a bit ironic now that having a tan now is chic, showing that you're not stuck inside all day.
A couple Halloweens back I had one of those long frilly shirts (don't ask) with the lace on the cuffs. I was thinking as I wore it, I'd end up ripping them to shreds or accidentally killing myself if I wore it regularly. Totally impractival. But it proves I don't have to do anything, I have servants to do it. How cool I am!!
NB: joke... I keep it in a ponytail, outside the comfort & security of my own home...
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free." -- Goethe
The casual mention of MS's booth at LWE really pleased me. Yeah, just another company making Linux credible to the business types. No mention of any MS FUD or speculation on their possible ulterior motives. Just the bald fact: they were there, lending credibility. Somehow, I doubt that's the spin MS wanted (though I'm sure they were aware it was a possibility).
The rest of the article was pretty mundane, but no worse than I'd expect from the mainstream press (as opposed to industry press). Yeah, we've had suits at the shows for years, but the reputation of a system for "freaks and geeks" is still alive. Yeah, they got a few details wrong, but that's the press for ya. But the oh-so casual mention of MS I liked.
Five years ago, a small upstart company wouldn't know it had made the big time until it was bought out by Microsoft. These days, we can tell that the "revolutionary OS" is a success, because dependable, non-revolutionary corporations are investigating ways to profit from it. That's always been the nature of most revolutions: They either die most miserably, or end up becoming part of the establishment themselves.
Of course, the ideas inherent in the way Linux is written and distributed may nevertheless go on to infect these established businesses. I'm interested in watching how things change because of it.
But which sort of rebellion will the next generation choose? Perhaps they could try showing their contempt for stuffy social norms by wearing their baseball caps backwards. Seriously, though, I doubt it will have anything to do with computers. They'll use them, sure. And no doubt Moore's Trend^H^H^H^H^H Law will give rise to some very disruptive killer apps. But computers themselves may be too much a part of the everyday landscape to be the focus of much revolutionary energy.
You want the truthiness? You can't handle the truthiness!
Some software is created just for fun. Other software is created to insure that you have control of your computer. Don't confuse "commercialism" with the evil practices of current commercial software vendors. They are stupid and will be replaced. Much software created just for fun is of great use to all of us becuse it was licensed as free. Go visit clarity to learn what why and how.
Friends don't help friends install M$ junk.