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A Bold Essay From Tim O'Reilly

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the tim-speaks-out dept.

skydryedblue writes "On XML.Com, there is an interview in which Tim says, that The Linux community is far too focused on the battle with Microsoft's current operating system. Some see that the big goal is to develop a competing desktop and compatible desktop applications. And while I think that's a worthy goal and Linux is doing pretty well at it, I see Microsoft much more clearly and strategically focused on what kind of software will be needed to support that next generation of computer applications, and that worries me. "

1 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Almost right by jflynn · · Score: 5
    I agree with Tim O'Reilly quite a bit. There is truth in the statement that to maintain something you should oppose it. Also that a destructive focus is not sufficient, you have to create something new, not just rail against the old.

    But, and it's a big but, ignoring Microsoft can't work until they no longer unfairly control the hardware and software markets. If merely being better than Microsoft was sufficient, BeOS would far more successful than it is today. We can and should ignore Microsoft on the day the following can be asserted with truth:

    1) Hardware vendors are just as likely to create drivers for Linux as Microsoft.

    2) System vendors can't be pressured successfully by Microsoft to avoid using competing products like Linux or Netscape.

    3) Microsoft no longer dominates standards thru controlling the OS platform used by nearly everyone.

    It would be nice if Microsoft just started playing fair. But I don't expect it. Rather I expect them to lie, cheat, and steal as necessary in an attempt to ensure dominance. Desperation is rarely pretty.

    His point about web applications being the future is worth consideration. The advantages in making large databases like Amazon and Yahoo available that way are quite clear. I don't quite see the clarity of that view when it comes to editors, compilers, or games however -- though I could be wrong, I much prefer local programs on my own computer for those.

    The other point he makes that is well worth considering is about the open nature of web development. Clay Shirkey did an excellent paper on this subject a while back. You may find many of the other papers on his page of interest as well.