tlug: Linux could be serious challenger of NT

[Takahashi Akihiro <ah-takahashi@example.com>]

http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2587.html


 
Berst Alert 
 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1998
Linux Leaps Ahead: New Developments Could Put Linux in the Limelight for Good

Jesse Berst, Editorial Director
ZDNet AnchorDesk

Okay, I admit it. Linux could be gaining momentum faster than I expected. 
I've always said that Linux could become a serious challenger to Microsoft's
 Windows NT. This summer, I laid out the three steps necessary to make that 
happen. Click for more. But I was skeptical those steps would happen in time
. Now it looks like Linux will get at least part of what it needs this very 
week. Here's what's going on. 

Validation from Microsoft. Last week, in a filing to the Security and Exchan
ge Commission, Microsoft emphasized what its executives had admitted in rece
nt interviews. It now views Linux as serious competition to Windows NT. Clic
k for more. 

A better interface. Today, Caldera ships Open Linux 1.3. The $59 shrinkwrap 
upgrade includes a graphical interface that resembles Windows. 

Big-name, big-money backers. Tomorrow, Intel and Netscape will announce thei
r investment in Linux distributor Red Hat. Click for more. Two venture capit
al firms are also putting money into the North Carolina company. The deals h
ave important implications:

"Respectability" and credibility thanks to validation from two of the indust
ry's powerhouses 
The financial resources to let Red Hat create serious enterprise versions an
d add-ons 
The possible emergence of a de facto "favorite" version of Linux 
Further estrangement between Intel and Microsoft due to Intel's support of a
 rival OS 
Now the Linux alliance needs to build on this momentum by 1) rallying around
 a single graphical interface and 2) persuading major software vendors to bu
ild Linux versions. If they can do that, they will build the all-important p
erception of success that could propel Linux into the mainstream. In a "winn
er-takes-almost-all" market like this one, perception is reality. If custome
rs think a product is going to become the standard, they will buy it. And if
 they buy it, it becomes the winner. 

Use the TalkBack button to tell me whether you think Linux is ready for the 
big time. I'll post responses below this story throughout the day. 

Don't Miss These Previous Berst Alerts...
Future of Usenet
What You Need to Know About Your Next Monitor
Congress Interruptus



 
 









 
 TALKBACK:  


It is vitally important to give the user the choice in interfaces ? Chad A G
ard
Deciding on a standard, uniform GUI is the last thing that should happen in 
LinuxLand. One of the strengths of Linux and other Unix-type OSes is that th
e user can choose an interface. Read More


A long time before it replaces Windows for the average user ? Clay Niemann
I spent part of this weekend installing Red Had Linux. It is no where near e
asy to do (although has been easier than the Slackware and Caldera Lite dist
ributions) even for someone who has been working with computers for six year
s. Read More

Where is the reality check? ? David Lockhorn
Desktop GUI not so important ? Nick Sydenham
Netscape's road to recovery ? ron
How about some sideways compatibility? ? Robert Young
Not quite ready for prime time ? Howard Pepper
What about critical apps? ? Christopher Thomas
It's not ready for Ma and Pa ? Paul M. Bucalo
Corel porting ALL major apps to Linux ? Mike Cowpland
Tired of Microsoft's 'Not quite ready for prime time' approach ? Jeanne White
Linux rescues Microsoft... film at eleven ? Terry Peterson
Close Jesse, but no cigar ? Paul Mallasch
Linux will become the standard for small business ? Matthew Hazlett
KDE does things that Microsoft only dreams of doing ? Jonathan Bayer
Doesn't this help Microsoft in its legal problems ? Michael Woodruff
Let's make the Seattle Mafia sweat! ? H. bruce Schwalm
Linux is a system whose time has come ? Eugene Doss
Linux must encourage others to join in the multilingual versions ? Renwill Y
ang
Linux install needs SERIOUS improvements! ? Scott Rogers
Thinking about switching to Linux in light of this article ? Marcel Young
Suddenly, it all makes sense! ? Keith Helwig
After being slave to Microsoft for sometime I now have Linux at home ? David
 Wilmert
It needs game titles ? Mark Perrin
Linux is approaching critical mass ? Tom Nunamaker
This is deliciously ironic ? Craig Presson
Hip, hip, hooray ? Earleen Smith
Hallelujah, Linux ? Phil Saunders
Paranoid? Definitely! ? Mike Mcglathery
Bill Gates has every reason to be worried ? Ewan McLeod

   










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----------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
  by Takahashi Akihiro
KCOM
03-3243-1271
 


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