[mdlug] Interesting information about Windows "7"

[Aaron Kulkis]

Jeff Hanson wrote:
> On Jan 22, 2008 10:51 AM, Robert Adkins <radkins at impelind.com> wrote:
>> I know this isn't directly Linux related...
>>
>> However, it looks like MS is appearing to be playing OS market "Damage
>> Control" caused by their currently stagnating Windows ME2^H^H^H^Vista OS.
>>
>> http://apcmag.com/7874/windows_7_to_be_released_next_year
>>
>> What does this mean for Linux? Well, the window of opportunity (pun not
>> entirely intended) for Linux to make strong inroads into Desktop acceptance
>> at the loss of marketshare to Microsoft due to Vista may decrease
>> significantly.
> 
> Because of Vista's problems (real and perceived) some corporate
> deployments are being reconsidered.  This early announcement is
> partially meant to encourage them to wait for v7 instead of making
> significant investment in anything else.  Many large enterprises skill
> OS versions to control costs.  Many are still using Windows 2000 and
> only deploy XP where specific apps require it.
> 
> Windows v7 looks like a quick release but it probably isn't.  It just
> looks that way in comparison to Vista's late delivery.  Many of the
> new Vista features like WinFS, etc. are probably being retargeted to
> v7 with some early or limited versions released as add-ons to Vista.
>

Don't be surprised if MS gets hauled into federal court
once again on vaporware charges.

They've already been convicted once of this activity,
which has a very long, consistant history of conviction
going all the way back to the 1960's with IBM using the
same tactics against competitors.  Basically, the FTC's
outlook is that you can't announce a product unless it's
VERY close to being released.  They were on the edge
with Vista (approx 18 months from announcement to
actual product delivery), and lucky not to be brought
up on charges for that fiasco.

I expect IBM to make a criminal complaint -- if they
can't do it, they sure as heck aren't going to let
MS *repeat* a performance that they (MS) has already
been convicted of (in US court) less than a decade ago.

> The modularity features of v7 may help in small-platform products like
> OLPC, and Eee PC.  That's probably why XP is being used although I'm
> surprised that Windows CE is being ignored.  Another reason may be
> intentional - remarketing XP as the old "economy" solution.  If you
> look at their non-profit and MAR offerings (and restrictions) at
> TechSoup.org it's Widows 2000 and XP Home.
> 
> The next year will be a significant opportunity for increasing in
> Linux market share growth (i.e., greater than total PC shipment
> growth).  Microsoft's failures have greater impact on Linux than the
> long-term changes like the 64-bit conversions as proposed by ESR and
> Landley:
> http://catb.org/~esr/writings/world-domination/world-domination-201.html
> 

Absolutely.

> I think that in the long term it doesn't matter that much as they will
> be increasingly forced to spend resources fighting F/OSS at every
> level while our costs are minimal.  Their OS is becoming the major
> cost of new PC systems and will eventually price itself out of the
> market.  Even their humanitarian marketing adds to those costs:
> http://tech.blorge.com/Structure:%20/2008/01/22/windows-xp-takes-linux-away-from-our-children/
> 
> We shouldn't be too passive because this year is a rare opportunity.

Absolutely.

In 2012, MS is going to be fighting for credibility, and
will occupy the same role that Novell currently occupies --
a once-popular has-been.