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Asus Slaps Linux In the Face
vigmeister writes "From Techgeist, 'Linux just got a major slap in the face today from Asus. One of the highlights of Linux going mainstream was the wildly popular Asus Eee PC preinstalled with a customized Linux distro geared towards web applications. While I personally never got what the big deal was, I was still happy for all the Linux people out there waiting for this day, but it looks like the cause for celebration won't be lasting much longer.
Asus and Microsoft have teamed up and have made a site called 'It's Better With Windows.' The page touts how easy it is to get up and ready with Windows on an Asus Eee PC, while slyly stating that you won't have to deal with an 'unfamiliar environment' and 'major compatibility issues.' While it is silly to state such a thing since Asus built the Linux distribution specifically for the Eee PC, I give Microsoft two points for snarky comments.'"
Linux is a concept. It's a theory. It's a dream. That's what makes it so powerful.
And it's also what makes it so frustrating for anyone who wants to see it succeed. What is success for an Open Source project? A child learning to walk takes the first step and the parents celebrate the moment, but what is that first step if nothing more than the first of countless more steps?
So what is Linux success? Is it dominating Windows? Domination of Windows is a worthy goal, but there is no one behind Linux to make that a reality. There is Ubuntu, sure. And RedHat. And MontaVista. And IBM. But are they behind Linux? No, they are out for themselves. Linux is the vehicle which they believe will take them where they want to go.
When Asus says they want to use Windows, let them. No skin off our backs.
Value is always relative. To me, every second of my life is priceless.