Linux the Tortoise to Microsoft's Hare?

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Linux the Tortoise to Microsoft's Hare?

Posted by michael on Tuesday March 9, 2004 @05:55AM from the slow-and-steady-gets-eaten-by-a-bear dept.

LukePieStalker writes "TheStreet.com is running a story by Ronna Abramson that makes a case for Linux cutting into Microsoft's server business and forcing Redmond to trim margins. A particular vulnerability is seen in overseas markets, but the heat should be turned up everywhere once Unix replacements are pretty far along by then end of next year. A quote from one CTO: [Linux is] "going to force Microsoft to spend more time on security and stability, and less time on adding new features.""

27 of 548 comments (clear)

Don't you mean... by Xpilot · 2004-03-09 05:57 · Score: 5, Funny

The penguin and the....uh.... abstract looking stylized flying window?

The mascot coolness factor alone makes Linux a superior competitor!

--
"Backups are for wimps. Real men upload their data to an FTP site and have everyone else mirror it." -- Linus Torvalds
1. Re:Don't you mean... by Zardoz44 · 2004-03-09 06:08 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  Forget the window, they have Clippy!
2. Re:Don't you mean... by RLW · 2004-03-09 06:15 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  oohhhh, (shudder) that alone is reason enough to dump M$FT.
  But wait, what if we through in more inane characters to replace clippy with the same stream of useless commentary? Then how fast would you dump M$FT?
3. Re:Don't you mean... by jazman_777 · 2004-03-09 07:01 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  The logo is cartoonish and childish. It says that this project is the opposite of professional, competent and reliable.
  I suggest as an alternative: Darth Vader's head. It says the project is built by a folks who take world domination seriously.
  
  --
  Slashdot: Failed Car Analogies. Amateur Lawyering. Anecdote Battles.
4. Re:Don't you mean... by EnderWiggnz · 2004-03-09 07:22 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  and yet, shipping computers in hostein-decorated boxes was considerred "professional".
  
  who knew.
  
  --
  ... hi bingo ...
5. Re:Don't you mean... by senatorpjt · 2004-03-09 07:57 · Score: 4, Funny
  
  The company is http://www.penguinlifesafety.com. They also apparently have permission from Larry Ewing to use it. :)
  
  Yes, the site runs linux.
  
  They install fire insulation.
6. Re:Don't you mean... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-09 08:51 · Score: 1, Funny
  
  http://www.penguinlifesafety.com
  Stop blinking you penguin from hell!
7. Re:Don't you mean... by aastanna · 2004-03-09 09:18 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  The Red Hat guy always reminds me of Carmen Sandiego, I guess that's where in the world she went.
No, Really? by nickasbob · 2004-03-09 05:59 · Score: 3, Funny

More security and stability? You're kidding right? Why would anyone want that in a server? Silly Linux forcing Microsoft to do jump through such unecessary hoops.
1. Re:No, Really? by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-09 06:06 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  The author says that MS wouldn't be adding as many new feautres, just increasing security and stability... What are they talking about, for MS security and stability ARE new features!
Yeah by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-09 06:00 · Score: 3, Funny

and Mac OS X is a panther, it can kill both of those.
Qaulity Sfotwere? by ackthpt · 2004-03-09 06:00 · Score: 4, Funny

Microsoft to spend more time on security and stability, and less time on adding new features."
What? And part with tradition?
Would this mean the new Microsoft ad taglines would be "Now, more secure and stable than ever!"
I can't see that, since they've already played that card and anyone with a lick of sense has seen the results. More likely they'll just trim their profit margins, try to lock down proprietary technology (to bar Linux from having it) and continue to spin marketspeak.

--

A feeling of having made the same mistake before: Deja Foobar
1. Re:Qaulity Sfotwere? by frodo+from+middle+ea · 2004-03-09 06:41 · Score: 2, Funny
  
  Microsoft ad taglines would be "Now, more secure and stable than ever!"
  Make that "Now, more secureer and stableer than ever before!"
  People always like their comparative adjectives with , "ER" in the end.
  Note to grammar nazis :- It's a joke.
  
  --
  for the last time people, I am "frodo from middle eaRTH", not "middle eaST".
Somebody had to say it...might as well be me by techstar25 · 2004-03-09 06:01 · Score: 4, Funny

For Microsoft, security and stability will be new features.
1. Re:Somebody had to say it...might as well be me by vpscolo · 2004-03-09 06:03 · Score: 3, Funny
  
  I've found Windows to be very stable when you get the box it comes in and use it as a book end
  
  Rus
  
  --
  CPanel + Root from $35/mo - 10% off with discount code SLASHDOT
That's a good analogy for BSD too! by Shut+the+fuck+up! · 2004-03-09 06:01 · Score: 2, Funny

There are rabbits everywhere. Most tortoises are endangered species.
Re:Could someone... by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-09 06:03 · Score: 1, Funny

if anyone puts out a t-shirt with a tux wearing a rabbit costume running past a turtle with bill's face on it looking 'retarded', i'd buy it.
Or... by buddha42 · 2004-03-09 06:06 · Score: 2, Funny

A quote from one CTO: [Linux is] "going to force Microsoft to spend more time on security and stability, and less time on adding new features."

Do what we do, skip the documentation and intergration.
Bad news for Linux by Anonymous Coward · 2004-03-09 06:13 · Score: 1, Funny

Getting lauded by thestreet.com is the kiss of death. They are an excellent contrarian indicator. When they say "buy", sell. When they say "sell", buy. That is the path to riches.

When they said to buy MSO @ 36, I sold short. Thanks guys!
Re:Is that why by Azghoul · 2004-03-09 06:30 · Score: 3, Funny

You haven't had a blue screen in 8 years? Damn, you must have switched to Linux, or Mac. BeOS?
Re:Why do people still use Microsoft? by Trolling4Dollars · 2004-03-09 06:32 · Score: 2, Funny

Linux(TM) is a trademark of The SCO Group. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

So I take it you "paid your $699 fee you cocksmoking teabagger"? ;) I mean you said you used the TM with permission... What else is there to assume other than you are a "$699 fee paying, cocksmoking, teabagger"? [Daffy Duck Sounds as I Bounce Away]

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Un-news
Re:I don't think so by khyron664 · 2004-03-09 06:50 · Score: 2, Funny

Am I the only one who finds MS's newer crayonware interfaces a colossal PITA?
Microsoft contracted Fisher Price to create the Fisher Price My First Computer Interface. They were going to call the OS: Microsoft Windows featuring the My First Computer Interface (MSMFCI for short), but decided to just call it WindowsXP.

I'm older than 4, so the XP interface is painfully annoying
Khyron
Re:I think they'll just obfuscate more. by HoldmyCauls · 2004-03-09 06:52 · Score: 3, Funny

I'm already having trouble getting Macs and Linux boxes to play nice with Active Directory, who KNOWS what sort of proprietary encryption techniques they'll use to keep Linux and Apple boxes out of the core network.(emphasis mine)
ROT-13?

--
Emacs: for people who just never know when to :q!
New Slogan for Longhorn by handy_vandal · 2004-03-09 06:54 · Score: 5, Funny

Not to mention the XP T-shirts that say "Yes you can." (Thanks for the permission by the way ;)

The new slogan for Longhorn should read:

"Yes, you must."

-kgj

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-kgj
Re:get serious by randomencounter · 2004-03-09 08:31 · Score: 2, Funny

No, I prefer streaming OGG. With the fish for a logo.

--
Forget diamonds, copyright is forever.
Oh, GREAT! by Perdition · 2004-03-09 08:33 · Score: 2, Funny

Now you've given MicroSoft the cute animal mascot it's been withering without in the battle against Tux: RetardoTurtle. Fine, just GIVE the battle away to Redmond, you quisling turncoat!

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Windows XP SP2 told me to install third-party software that prevents viruses and protects stability... I chose Ubuntu
Re:get serious by BrynM · 2004-03-09 09:01 · Score: 3, Funny

The Windows logo is seen by hundreds of millions of people each and everyday they boot up
So is a blue background with white letters... something else they identify with Microsoft, but not to Microsoft's advantage ;)

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