Microsoft May Be Targeting the Ubuntu Desktop

mjasay writes "Microsoft is advertising for a new director of open source strategy, but this one has a specific purpose: fight the Linux desktop. 'The Windows Competitive Strategy team is looking for a strong team member to lead Microsoft's global desktop competitive strategy as it relates to open source competitors.' For a variety of reasons, this move is almost certainly targeted at Ubuntu Linux's desktop success. With the Mac, not Linux, apparently eating into Microsoft's Windows market share, what is it about desktop Linux, and specifically Ubuntu, that has Microsoft spooked?" Reader christian.einfeldt notes Microsoft's acknowledgment of the FOSS threat to their business model within SEC filings, and suggests that this job posting could instead be about maintaining Internet Explorer's market share lead against Firefox.

Comments

woo

[nomadic]

what is it about desktop Linux

Maybe it's that mighty 2% market share. After TWENTY FIVE years of effort. Microsoft must be terrified at that sort of "rapid" growth.

2009 is going to be the year of linux on the desktop! THIS time I mean it! Not like the other TWENTY FIVE times.

Re:woo

[Anonymous Coward]

They are going to have to fall back on FUD more and more as more people (like me) are sharing Ubuntu fanboi FUD

Fixed that for you.

What? Microsoft worry?

[bogaboga]

I submit that Microsoft need not worry that much and here are my reasons:

Joe Six Pack tells Linux Programmers: " I need to double click to install my app. Programmers response: No! Just type "apt-get install ". Six Pack's idea is shot down!

Whatever happened to "The customer is always right!"

Joe Six Pack tells Linux Programmers: Where can I get help on this application?
Programmers: RTFM! Or connect to #linuxhelp on irc.freenode.com. When Joe Six Pack gets there, he's asked to RTFM.

It's as simple as that folks!

Right now, my MythTV setup is spewing errosrs like hell...telling me that ivtv0 cannot record fast enough. Ity also says that "Mythtv mpeg buffers afe full...". This makes MythTV exit after about 8 minutes of playing cable TV. I have been asked to RTFM so many times that I am going to simply reformat and install.

Microsoft worry? I do not think so.

Re:I can tell you what they're afraid of

[arndawg]

That's great and all. I think Ubuntu is great if you are a novice user that just wants to surf the web etc. But for more advanced users the linux desktop still doesn't cut it. Way too much hassle IMO.

I think this is great news

[icedcool]

This will bring awareness to Ubuntu, and bring people to it. I think this will have the reverse effect of what they want.
A lot of the problem is that people just don't know they have any options... or what to do about it if they did. Windows is helped by ignorance... so by them trying to convince people to stay away from Linux, people will check out what Microsoft is trying to dissuade them from.

They could cause what they are trying to prevent... so great news!