A Vista experience

Ok so check out this article, I believe it show that Linux pushed mainstream can make millions.

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/01/microsoft_makin.html

I think it also show that MS is willing to push linux as well.

Chris

Microsoft has always felt the threat to Windows from Linux. And that's why they were always eager to strike deals with biggies like Novell, Xandros, and the like.

I would like to share a funny incident regarding this matter. Last year, in Jan 2007 (2 days before the launch of Vista), I happened to visit the annual LinuxAsia meet held in New Delhi with 2 other former Team Granular members. I must say, I  has huge expectations from this event as I thought it would help me get Granular to new heights. But when all the events began, I started to realize how an extremely publicized event could go carp!!! After the first guest lecture, my other 2 friends literally could not bear it and slept through the rest of the proceedings. Luckily, I was still awake and hearing to the boring speeches. The only interesting speech was from Klaus Knopper (the creator of Knoppix), which was, of course, the first speech.

After a round of boring speeches, we got a chance to get outside the auditorium and have a look at the various stalls outside. Most of the expected companies had put up their stalls, like Google, Novell, CollabNet, HP, Turbo Linux, etc. And then, there was Microsoft! They were there to demonstrate their all new Vista to Linux geeks??? And believe me, they had the biggest stall there with the biggest crowd around them. What more? They were even selling Windows Server 2003 on the name of interoperability with SuSE!!!

Well, on seeing all this, I was more than shocked and decided to discuss these things and some things about Granular with a senior official or a guest lecturer there. On discussing, the matter, the official's answer was again too surprising. Although he told us that LinuxAsia conference that year was not up to the mark, these kind of promotions by big proprietors is normal. On asking about the future of Granular, he told that unless Team Granular works to raise Granular to corporate standards and "sells" it, it has no future....

After this conversation, we left the conference in between and moved to our motel. So, how was that?

Anurag,

That is very interesting.

In the business world it's all about money.  Initially at least, business decision makers will choose to use whatever system or tool they believe is most cost effective for them AND whatever system or tool they personally are most familiar with.  Aggressive marketing at the point of the earliest purchase is what makes the difference.  Later as costs increase, they may choose to keep whatever it is they initially bought simply because it is familiar, or, because they believe it is familiar to users/employees.

CEOs, and decision makers are not major users of equipment or systems.  Even when a better product is available, without aggressive marketing to the buyers, the buyers are unlikely to replace existing tools or systems with what to them is totally different technology.  Microsoft understands this very well.  It is what has arguably made Bill Gates the richest man in the world.

Linux, mostly, is a labor of love.  Word of mouth simply is not a substitute for a gigantic corporate funded marketing campaign, regardless that the "Linux product" is better in almost every respect.  Eventually, a technically oriented generation, familiar with what is in the market arena, will reach positions where their decisions are the ones that count.  Then the scales will tip in another direction.  It's only a matter of time.

That process is well underway now.  Just take a look at Google to see what young entrepreneurs can do with Linux.

Galjaman

I agree, galjaman. Microsoft is more of a business oriented company, due to which it is where it is.