On TV.com: CHUCK Spied a Return Date
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet
TalkBack 5 of 26:
Next »
« Previous
And the problem with that of course is ...
Windows is OWNED by Microsoft and Microsoft has not yet announced any plans of sharing their IP.

And so ...

Solaris is currently becoming more irrelevant as an OS by the day.

Microsoft and Apple technology are not available, at least not without significant cost.

Linux GPL technology is available AND Linux Desktop technology, while trailing both that of MS and Apple, is significantly ahead of Solaris.

So Sun must swallow a bitter pill. They must either pay for MS or Apple technology (which may not even be available at any price anyway) OR the will have to basically give up many of their IP rights in order to make use of Linux technology. Such is life.

So UNLESS you know of some offer that MS wants to make to Sun, they will probably opt for the GPL as way to at least guarantee the survival of Solaris as a relevant OS in the marketplace.

The bottom line is most of the attractiveness of Windows is its API which gives it compatibility with the largest installed base of application software of any OS in the world to which even runner up Apple doesn't hold a candle. That API is perhaps in reality MS's most valuable crown jewel which all but guarantees their hold on their desktop monopoly presence. They will NEVER sell that for money, let alone give it away. Thats the reality. The fact is, you of all people know that very well, so your seemingly light hearted critiques actually amount to cruel barbs pointing out the impossibility for any potential Desktop OS competitor to ever hope to compete with MS in a viable fashion. So thanks, Don, for all your helpful advice, but it is not really helpful if you understand what I mean.

- George
Posted by: George Mitchell   Posted on: 05/09/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use
Reply to Story Reply to Message

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

What I find interesting is  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/09/07
All a matter of interpretation  Michael Kelly | 05/09/07
I agree, and my thought is...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/09/07
If by that you mean  Michael Kelly | 05/09/07
And the problem with that of course is ...  George Mitchell | 05/09/07
Is that the absolute truth?  No_Ax_to_Grind | 05/09/07
Not the Windows API, I can assure you ...  George Mitchell | 05/09/07
Probably not  Resuna | 05/10/07
Going with Sun IMO would be a trapping  Boot_Agnostic | 05/09/07
Sun hopes for Linux-like Solaris  Loverock Davidson | 05/09/07
Didn't Caldera try that once?  Knorthern Knight | 05/09/07
Well, the litigation path is certainly not working out well for SCO ...  George Mitchell | 05/10/07
Windows high end?  cmjrees | 05/10/07
Its all relative ...  George Mitchell | 05/10/07
Nice way to speak the truth  ViperHost | 05/11/07
RE: Its all relative ...  joe6pack_z | 05/14/07
Joe, I am ...  George Mitchell | 05/15/07
There's three ways to do this...  Resuna | 05/10/07
#3 is the winner ...  George Mitchell | 05/10/07
Solaris harder than it needs to be.  Outside T. Box | 05/10/07
You know nothing ...  George Mitchell | 05/10/07
Programmers  TonyMcS | 05/10/07
The scope of your experience obviously is limited  balsover | 05/10/07
Drivers+GUI  previso@... | 05/11/07
I wish them the very best and much success  intrepi@... | 05/14/07
What About Focusing On Users Vs. Programmers??  tom041652 | 05/15/07

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

advertisement

SmartPlanet

Click Here