Gates rules out returning to Microsoft

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Several big problems with Linux

One big problem with Linux is that there are too many distros and this is confusing for the potential consumers.
Sure distro are mostly compatible between them but they are not fully compatible.
Moreover for most of them, everything is great when there are no troubles but when there are troubles it could be much more difficult for consumers to get support and help than for Windows.
Another big problem is the weak or inexistant profit companies can expect to make on such platform and mainly because of the packed and free applications available on each distro.
If one has all applications one can need for free and out of the box, why one would need to buy third party applications ?
Personnaly i think that:
For Linux to either become a significant threat for Microsoft there must be only one or two (but more likely one) distro aimed at home PC users.
This could be a joint venture of main distros manufacturers for example.
For enterprises there must be either one generic distro(joint venture again) or very specialised distro aimed at different sectors.
Moreover low/reasonnable cost high quality applications must be privilegied over free applications,even high quality, in order to enable third party to make some profit by selling applications on this/these distro(s).
It is great for the consumers to get free applications but it is not so great for software companies as they need to make money to survive.
Not all companies can make money from advertisement like google or from support only like suggested by some of the Open source philosophy.
Something, many people working in software companies and developping free applications as a hobby don't seem to grasp.
Thus i fear that Linux will be for quite a long time a distant third contender in the PC O.S market while it has the potential to be second before Apple and make Microsoft runs for its money.
Btw i am a Linux supporter but i understand and acknowledge why it is not possible for Linux to be much more popular even though Linux and Open source are fantastic opportunities for third world countries.
Moreover as i work for a software company,i would be more than pissed off if my company can't make money because of unfair competition from free software.

Posted by: timiteh   Posted on: 06/06/08  (Edited: 06/06/2008 @ 03:51) You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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