The most difficult part of the equation is that modern economics is the inverse of the old. It used to be if I made a better widget than you , people would buy mine. Now we have "installed bases" of products ie: Windows PCs, that are the tip of a huge pyramid of products and services. this makes change difficult or impossible especially in businesses who have invested huge amounts of money and time, from equipment and software to training employees. Microsoft has perfected this model.
Thats why Linux and Macs have had a hard time. If you could install and set up Linux easier than Windows, and have it integrate into a windows environment seamlessly and quickly you would have more "average" converts. Apple is already realizing the need to swim in an ocean of Microsoft product. For those of you out working in corporate America, when was the last time you talked with an IT intern who had ever touched a Mac? or played with Linux? This is where the change has to happen, but it must be done in a Windows world. Most people are too busy, and too stressed to really care about the box in front of them. They are not championing anything other than 5:00 on a Friday so they can get away from it all. People may be frustrated, but they don't want to take the time to research a better choice. They just keep hoping Windows will "Get Better". Thats why Apple, and Linux both need to build their "Clone Armys" :) The faster you can drop a Mac into a windows environment and have 110% compatibility (100% integration + 10% improvement) then people will see its a better Windows than Windows. Linux needs the option for newbies to have a distribution that's as simple to set up as a Cobalt Cube. Most people playing with Linux who are not savvy Hackers are doing it on their old equipment If you give them a chance to have a working Linux box to learn on they will grow. If you continue with the traditional Linux attitudes of "Trail by Fire" or if you can't figure it out you don't deserve Linux, then you get to keep the elitist attitiudes but you loose all those people who are interested but can't devote the time or don't have the savvy. Linux will always be the DIY or Hacker OS of choice, but if the price of admission (time and knowledge) were lowered you would get a lot more converts. Look at this list, its more about "help me get Linux to run on..." than "Help me get my Linux machine to do..." Opensource is not going away it will evolve and splinter just like the Internet. Remember when everyone knew the rules, and no one would think about spamming or using the system for commercial gain? But all those old communities are still there, they just share the space with everyone else for good or bad. I'm off the soapbox... -Mark >....the microsoft business model is to make it >impossible for competition, unfortunately this also makes things nearly >impossible for the end user. sooner or later the "traditional" business >model of actually serving the customer and making a profit because you >do it well will come back, at least i hope it will, the microsoft model >is spreading like wildfire, leaving only ashes in it's wake. > >Pastor Mac wrote: >> >> A rather significant & scary article about Palladium, M$'s attempt at >> a trusted OS that's now under development. This piece should become >> the basis for much study, reflection, & comment. >> >> http://www.theregus.com/content/4/25378.html >> >> If true, the GPL is in a world of hurt. >--------- > >-- >Philip Stortz, mad scientist at large. --Every 13 seconds an American >gun owner uses a firearm in defense against a criminal. gun ownership >deters crime, it doesn't increase it. gun control increases crime and >cost lives. <http://www.pulpless.com/gunclock/framedex.html> > >-- >MaX-list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... > > / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ > / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ > > Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> > >MaX-list info: <http://lowendmac.com/linux/max.shtml> >Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/max-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> > >Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! ><http://www.applelinks.com> -- ................................................................................. Mark Tourtellott :: Art : Illustration : Media : Design [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://mokturtle.net -- MaX-list is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... / Buy books, CDs, videos, and more from Amazon.com \ / <http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect-home/lowendmac> \ Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> MaX-list info: <http://lowendmac.com/linux/max.shtml> Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/max-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Macintosh? Get free email and more at Applelinks! <http://www.applelinks.com>
