[NTLUG:Discuss] What makes Linux great?

[Steve Baker]

Michael Surkan wrote:
 > I am a program manager at Microsoft doing some research around how we
 > can improve our operating systems. My goal is to help us identify
 > capabilities, improvements, and features that Microsoft should be
 > focusing on to help our customers over the next 5 years or so.

Whilst there are lots of important technological reasons why I prefer
Linux over Windows - that's not the root of the issue.

The problem is that whole monopoly thing.  I simply cannot tolerate one
or even two companies determining the entire future of computing and the
Internet for the benefit of a few large shareholders.  It takes agressive
competition between several credible suppliers to drive innovation and
propel us into the future.

If there was real competition, people wouldn't buy an OS with Palladium
- it offers them no advantages.  However, since it'll be rammed down
their throats, they'll percieve that there is no alternative but to
accept it.   I want there to be a viable alternative.

The only thing Microsoft could do to get any business from me would be
to voluntarily do the thing that the Justice department shied away from
doing....split the company into an OS group and an Applications group and
to erect large, solid walls to prevent them from cooperating in the future.

If there was WORD-for-Linux - honestly marketted on an equal footing to
WORD-for-Windows - I might actually buy it.

Sorry - it's not a matter of technology - it's a matter of the future
of computing.  Please just die.

---------------------------- Steve Baker -------------------------
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