MS's answer - I'm not saying it's true - is that OS acquisition cost is a very small part of the total cost of ownership (TOC) of a computer.
Hardware, OS, applications and lifetime support all need to get rolled into the cost. Since they have proof (in the form of studies they conducted) that Linux admins cost more than Windows admins (find, train, and employ) they can argue that the TCO of linux is higher.
This argument moves the fight from one they cannot argue (we are cheaper) to another arena, where they can hold thier ground (linux admins are highly paid and rare.)
This discussion ignored how many linux admins are required per captita vs how many windows admins would be required, and ignores the additional application cost - most office suites, graphics packages and utilities would also be gratis under Linux.
looking forward to being able to pick and place the goatse guy on your boss's monitor, and he doesn't know who did it, because you're all carrying pens?
The problem is, once you let them get rid of "the absolute worst", the game is redefined and a new a new "the absolute worst" is created for them to target.
It's a slippery slope because when the kiddie porn perveyors are gone, then everyone else looks a little more censorable.
If someone came to me with these problems...And they do, people with these complaints are my bread and butter... I'd tell them it's time for thier twice-per-year windows enema... Because in the real world, windows shakes itself to death about every 6 months.
So, we backup the drives, vacuum it out, and nuke it from orbit. After all, it's the only way to be sure.
Then I show them my custom knoppix running diagnostics, watch them drool at the speed and nifty candy, and I reinstall thier crappy os while they try to find all of thier original install disks and keys.
And the next time they upgrade thier computers, they all agree to have a long talk with me about that 'cool, fast os' I was using to do the diagnostics.
a) Crossover Office Already Does This. b) Linux has already taken off. c) Most people just use OpenOffice and don't worry about office emulation, only compatability. My clients are worried about thier accounting packages, some of which run well under normal wine.
Is this where job growth is heading? Private space charter and cargo organizations?
Are there niches here for smart, innovative, hardworking software guys to learn to fill, without having to start over in college?
It seems software is going the way of the dodo, until the U.S. decides to adapt itself to a global economy. Can the space race get the job market moving again in a way that biotech can't (meaning, not requiring another 6-8 years of college for entry-level positions.)
Wake up, jackass. We americans are finally becoming part of a global society. Yes, the artificial protections that you refer to are being worn away, and it will be painful for us to adjust to a lower standard of living, while we watch them adjust to a higher one.
Too bad, suck it up, and get ready for it, or you're in for a rough time.
Actually, I don't like the look of your desktop very much - it's almost as bad as OSX...
Is this what KDE looks like these days? Last time I checked it was all THICK 3d icons of lifeguard buoys and things, with a taskbar that took up way too much of the screen. Now, yours looks like a muted OSX ripoff with a taskbar that, still, takes up way too much of the screen...
Yeah, and thanks for being our resident syntax parser. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that we appreciate and respect you for your hard work and diligent effort.
Without the grammar Nazi, the world would be a much quieter place.
Ugrading to a new version of redhat is neither time-consuming, risky nor expensive.
(apt-get dist-upgrade is how I've ugraded every RH box I manage to fedora)
Staying with RH9 for as long as you want, with a secondary support organization is neither risky, time consuming nor expensive.
On the other hand, staying on Win98 for 6 years, with or without support is certainly risky, time consuming and expensive.
Re:It is all about marketing to the pointy haired.
on
Red Hat Desktop Unveiled
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
The point you're missing (and it seems everyone misses with this situation) is that RH
a) Can be (and is) supported by third parties, because they have the source.
b) Can be upgraded *for free* to the current Fedora.
c) Can be easily migrated to many different distributions.
When MS pulls up stakes and EOLs a product, you don't really have any choice but to pay for an upgrade. When RH EOL's something, you have lots of good options.
The ad for Magic wand ("ALMOST PERFEC.") is about what software marketing used to be - "Crashproof and completely reliable", "command structure is simple logical and complete", "have not included any feature that is not thoroughly implemented."
Now, marketing is more like "Now with Blue!" or "We give kickbacks" or "Buy it because it's the same as what you already have!"
Slashdot Mirror
Strange that they didn't argue it was untrue.
MS's answer - I'm not saying it's true - is that OS acquisition cost is a very small part of the total cost of ownership (TOC) of a computer.
Hardware, OS, applications and lifetime support all need to get rolled into the cost. Since they have proof (in the form of studies they conducted) that Linux admins cost more than Windows admins (find, train, and employ) they can argue that the TCO of linux is higher.
This argument moves the fight from one they cannot argue (we are cheaper) to another arena, where they can hold thier ground (linux admins are highly paid and rare.)
This discussion ignored how many linux admins are required per captita vs how many windows admins would be required, and ignores the additional application cost - most office suites, graphics packages and utilities would also be gratis under Linux.
looking forward to being able to pick and place the goatse guy on your boss's monitor, and he doesn't know who did it, because you're all carrying pens?
Is if this is just useless, or if it's expensive, as well.
And the patent office, too.
The problem is, once you let them get rid of "the absolute worst", the game is redefined and a new a new "the absolute worst" is created for them to target.
It's a slippery slope because when the kiddie porn perveyors are gone, then everyone else looks a little more censorable.
If someone came to me with these problems ...And they do, people with these complaints are my bread and butter ... I'd tell them it's time for thier twice-per-year windows enema... Because in the real world, windows shakes itself to death about every 6 months.
So, we backup the drives, vacuum it out, and nuke it from orbit. After all, it's the only way to be sure.
Then I show them my custom knoppix running diagnostics, watch them drool at the speed and nifty candy, and I reinstall thier crappy os while they try to find all of thier original install disks and keys.
And the next time they upgrade thier computers, they all agree to have a long talk with me about that 'cool, fast os' I was using to do the diagnostics.
a) Crossover Office Already Does This.
b) Linux has already taken off.
c) Most people just use OpenOffice and don't worry about office emulation, only compatability. My clients are worried about thier accounting packages, some of which run well under normal wine.
What goes around, comes around. I hope you lose, and learn a lesson here, Google.
Is this where job growth is heading? Private space charter and cargo organizations?
Are there niches here for smart, innovative, hardworking software guys to learn to fill, without having to start over in college?
It seems software is going the way of the dodo, until the U.S. decides to adapt itself to a global economy. Can the space race get the job market moving again in a way that biotech can't (meaning, not requiring another 6-8 years of college for entry-level positions.)
Just an out of work hopeful...
A) It is too cheap.
B) The interface is too clean.
C) The keyboard is too useable.
D) The screen updates too quickly.
Wake up, jackass. We americans are finally becoming part of a global society. Yes, the artificial protections that you refer to are being worn away, and it will be painful for us to adjust to a lower standard of living, while we watch them adjust to a higher one.
Too bad, suck it up, and get ready for it, or you're in for a rough time.
My desktop stays as quiet and efficient as possible.
Actually, I don't like the look of your desktop very much - it's almost as bad as OSX...
Is this what KDE looks like these days? Last time I checked it was all THICK 3d icons of lifeguard buoys and things, with a taskbar that took up way too much of the screen. Now, yours looks like a muted OSX ripoff with a taskbar that, still, takes up way too much of the screen...
In this case, you'd alrady be paying sales tax, wouldn't you?
Yeah, and thanks for being our resident syntax parser. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that we appreciate and respect you for your hard work and diligent effort.
Without the grammar Nazi, the world would be a much quieter place.
Ugrading to a new version of redhat is neither time-consuming, risky nor expensive.
(apt-get dist-upgrade is how I've ugraded every RH box I manage to fedora)
Staying with RH9 for as long as you want, with a secondary support organization is neither risky, time consuming nor expensive.
On the other hand, staying on Win98 for 6 years, with or without support is certainly risky, time consuming and expensive.
The point you're missing (and it seems everyone misses with this situation) is that RH
a) Can be (and is) supported by third parties, because they have the source.
b) Can be upgraded *for free* to the current Fedora.
c) Can be easily migrated to many different distributions.
When MS pulls up stakes and EOLs a product, you don't really have any choice but to pay for an upgrade. When RH EOL's something, you have lots of good options.
The ad for Magic wand ("ALMOST PERFEC.") is about what software marketing used to be - "Crashproof and completely reliable", "command structure is simple logical and complete", "have not included any feature that is not thoroughly implemented."
Now, marketing is more like "Now with Blue!" or "We give kickbacks" or "Buy it because it's the same as what you already have!"
Seeing the GNA on /. is one thing, you learn to tune them out. Seeing them out "in the wild," like at the end of this article, is disturbing.
The 'more obvious jokes' link turned up this obvious threat-level-red emergency report:
WARNING - BEWARE FAKE "DALEK BUILDERS CLUB'S" ON MSN
Please beware...some unscrupulous individuals have started creating MSN Chat groups
also called "The Dalek Builders Club". These are NOT affiliated with this
web-site in any way, shape or form. The ONLY internet chat group related to this site is the
Dalek Builders Guild at : http://groups.msn.com/TheDalekBuildersGuild/
I agree. Until you sell me a copy. Then we enter into an agreement giving me a degree of control.
If you make something and don't sell it, then yes, you maintain complete control.
I just like repeating it.
JV: Un-fucking-believable.
Imagine the look of wonder in his eyes.
JV: Un-fucking-believable.
Shooting at people.