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IBM's New Linux Advertising

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the big-blue's-big-bucks dept.

Amit Shah writes "IBM is airing a commercial featuring Linux as reported on Economic Times. This could be the first major way to reach out to normal users and explain the benefits of open source and Linux. The ad says, "Collecting data is only the first step toward wisdom, but sharing data is the first step toward community""

5 of 587 comments (clear)

  1. Re:When I was a kid by stratjakt · · Score: 0, Troll

    psst.. They still are, but don't let on.

    When they've decimated all competing linux vendors (seems they prefer Red Hat), pulled kernel development from Linus (hey, they just need to fork it.. Not their fault if the world needs their fork), completely shift the focus of Linux to make it permanently a big-iron datacenter thing, and the community realizes that it will never become the mainstream desktop OS they want it to be, then we'll see who the good guy was.

    More likely, though, they'll do to Linux what they did to OS/2. Make it the running joke of the industry.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  2. Re:When I was a kid by CGP314 · · Score: 0, Troll

    Big Blue was the bad guy. It feels kind of creepy to be cheering IBM on... Go IBM!!!!

    Companies are by definition self serving. They are always the bad guys.

    That being said... I too am happy to see a company support Linux. It's just that I wouldn't be surprised if they attacked it later on if it could raise their profits somehow.

  3. Re:First Linux commercial? by Otter · · Score: 1, Troll
    IBM has been running Linux commercials for years, during major network sports and prime-time shows.

    You may well have seen them and noticed them, or quickly switched away from them. If you're used to Linux advocacy as practiced here (LUNIX! $699! LUNIX! MICRO$HIT! LUNIX!!!! NO, IT'S GNU/LUNIX!!!!, they probably wouldn't even register on you at first.

    --
    What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
  4. Double standard by Overly+Critical+Guy · · Score: 0, Troll

    It's simply because they're supporting Linux. Otherwise, IBM is a big business and Slashbots would be all over them, because any big corporation is automatically bad in their eyes.

    Sad, but can you really dispute it as the truth?

    --
    "Sufferin' succotash."
  5. Re:Quite so! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    # no linux msblaster worms
    No Linux on the desktop.

    # no linux visual basic for applications cracks
    Yes, applications are harder to develop for Linux. Not really a plus.

    # no trains, planes or automobiles stopped by linux viruses, worms or trojans
    Yes, none use it.

    # no linux DRM media players
    Yes, Linux is unable to play DRM content. Windows can play both non-DRM and DRM content. Linux can only play non-DRM. That's a negative for Linux.

    # no linux license fees
    Sure.

    # no linux authorization codes when you change hardware
    Yep.
    # no forced upgrade cycle
    I have never been forced to upgrade my Windows computer.

    # no having to hunt down 50 cds when trying to rebuild a machine
    Yes, drivers are not available for Linux on CDs. Definitely a negative.