Comments on: Criticizing Vista Doesn't Mean Promoting Ubuntu http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/ Channel News, Reseller News and Channel Partner Programs Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:59:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: aikiwolfie http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/comment-page-1/#comment-116437 aikiwolfie Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:06:26 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/#comment-116437 I agree with both the headline and the sentiment of the article. A quick look at Dell IdeaStorm and it becomes very apparent that once you get past all the Linux fan boys (about 30 pages in) what Windows users want is extended XP support. Extended indefinitely. Even though dumping on Vista doesn't do anything to promote Ubuntu and does actually get a bit depressing being so negative all the time. It can be fun! I agree with both the headline and the sentiment of the article. A quick look at Dell IdeaStorm and it becomes very apparent that once you get past all the Linux fan boys (about 30 pages in) what Windows users want is extended XP support. Extended indefinitely.

Even though dumping on Vista doesn’t do anything to promote Ubuntu and does actually get a bit depressing being so negative all the time. It can be fun!

]]> By: lancest http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/comment-page-1/#comment-116436 lancest Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:22:22 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/#comment-116436 Sales of Apple computers can only help Linux in the long run. As Linux becomes more polished with improving software and even better driver support it will get recognition. I think Ubuntu is fine for any beginner. In fact I have first hand experience implimenting just that. What Linux offers is security, easy software installation and hardware independence. Apple has quite limited portability and Vista is universally disliked. I doubt Windows 7 is ever going to have the cool factor that Windows 95 once did. Sales of Apple computers can only help Linux in the long run. As Linux becomes more polished with improving software and even better driver support it will get recognition. I think Ubuntu is fine for any beginner. In fact I have first hand experience implimenting just that. What Linux offers is security, easy software installation and hardware independence. Apple has quite limited portability and Vista is universally disliked. I doubt Windows 7 is ever going to have the cool factor that Windows 95 once did.

]]> By: Josh http://www.thevarguy.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/comment-page-1/#comment-116435 Josh Mon, 08 Dec 2008 15:10:21 +0000 http://www.workswithu.com/2008/12/07/criticizing-vista-doesnt-mean-promoting-ubuntu/#comment-116435 Perhaps the most interesting result of the Vista public failure (which is only partially deserved, as Vista is much better than most people give it credit for) is that many people are now recognizing that it doesn't have to be a Windows world. We do have a choice. Now, for most people, that choice comes down to Windows vs. Mac. For many, that's plenty of options, and it's already confusing enough for most users. Linux's strength does not lie with those considering a home computer. Instead, I think Linux's greatest growth market (and Ubuntu, for that matter) is in corporate desktops, thin clients, and possibly schools and libraries. Ubuntu is still too complex and too touchy for most home users, but it's perfect for the managed organization. Let's not forget that most people don't view their choice of operating system as an expression of political beliefs. When it comes to free software, most users use it because it's free as in beer. I've found that trying to convince people of the benefits of open source, it's difficult to explain to non-technical people. In my opinion, that's the weakest argument we can make. Rather, we need to be speaking in practical terms: what can Ubuntu give me that Vista or OS X cannot? How will it improve my workflow? How will it make my life easier/faster/more efficient/more fun? Perhaps the most interesting result of the Vista public failure (which is only partially deserved, as Vista is much better than most people give it credit for) is that many people are now recognizing that it doesn’t have to be a Windows world. We do have a choice. Now, for most people, that choice comes down to Windows vs. Mac. For many, that’s plenty of options, and it’s already confusing enough for most users.

Linux’s strength does not lie with those considering a home computer. Instead, I think Linux’s greatest growth market (and Ubuntu, for that matter) is in corporate desktops, thin clients, and possibly schools and libraries. Ubuntu is still too complex and too touchy for most home users, but it’s perfect for the managed organization.

Let’s not forget that most people don’t view their choice of operating system as an expression of political beliefs. When it comes to free software, most users use it because it’s free as in beer. I’ve found that trying to convince people of the benefits of open source, it’s difficult to explain to non-technical people. In my opinion, that’s the weakest argument we can make. Rather, we need to be speaking in practical terms: what can Ubuntu give me that Vista or OS X cannot? How will it improve my workflow? How will it make my life easier/faster/more efficient/more fun?

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