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The Intersection of Microsoft, Linux, and China
at_$tephen writes "Fortune magazine has an article stressing the Chinese market's importance to Microsoft's long term strategy, and touching on Linux's involvement in the Chinese market. In the early days of Microsoft rampant piracy helped establish it as the de facto standard in PCs despite good alternatives. History may be unfolding again here, with the exception that having the Chinese government as an ally has huge additional benefits. Or perhaps Gates has met his match with the Chinese government. 'In another boost for Microsoft, the government last year required local PC manufacturers to load legal software on their computers. Lenovo, the market leader, had been shipping as few as 10% of its PCs that way, and even US PC makers in China were selling many machines "naked." Another mandate requires gradual legalization of the millions of computers in state-owned enterprises. In all, Gates says, the number of new machines shipped with legal software nationwide has risen from about 20% to more than 40% in the past 18 months.'"
Never mind this silly-assed story! The real news is that Ninnle Linux is in the next version and ready for the desktop!
All hail our new Ninnle Linux overlords!
Somehow, the "good alternatives" failed to win... Struggling with Linux was more difficult, than overcoming the anti-piracy measures, I guess?
In Soviet Washington the swamp drains you.
It's pretty clear that one of the main uses of Linux is to boot stolen copies of Windows. We all know about the prevalence of software and IP theft in China. Therefore it's only natural that we should see this intersection in that part of the world.
I'm always concerned about all the propaganda that comes out of the pro-Linux camp concerning its number of users. Should those who use Linux only as a boot loader be counted? After all, Linux is barely usable on its own...
Linux ready for the desktop? When it's used to boot into Windows, yeah.
Linux violates 235 Microsoft patents.
...In other news, China and Bill Gates have agreed on a China-oriented version of the popular Windows operating system -- it will be called 'Microsoft Tiananmen'. They've already agreed on the slogan. 'Microsoft Tiananmen' New and Improved -- now with fewer human rights!
So, what does the average Chinese working type pay in taxes to support those 'adjustments'? Cost of living is also relative... I could, for instance, work remotely from, say, Mississippi, and probably (not certainly - probably) enjoy a lower cost of living than some guy living in downtown Beijing.
Not refuting your statement entirely, but IMHO it seems too simple, and there are other factors that seem to be missing which may mitigate your complaint somewhat.
Quo usque tandem abutere, Nimbus, patientia nostra?
...has a lot of accidents.
If there's anyone I hate more than stupid people, it's intellectuals.
The "naked" PC is a barrier to sales in all but the most technically sophisticated of markets.
The "naked" PC is to the Geek what thoughts of Playboy are to the teen at three A.M. The un-compromised fantasy without any immediate prospect or obligation of fulfillment.
The install never barfs, the GIMP is a champion performer like Photoshop.