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Ousman
USA
103 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Apr 2007 : 21:32:56
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With the exponential growth that open source software is having on the server side of the equation, Microsoft is on the offensive to protect its behemoth of a market on the desktop. Whatever you may think of them, the redmond guys have marketing down pack. They are trying to hook the developing world onto their operating system and in the process expand their market share.
To this effect they are offering a string of starter software (including Xp starter edition) for $3 to people in the developing countries. Click on the link below to read the entire story:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/business/312287_msftinternational19.html
In a related story, Ubuntu (one of the open source distros) has release its newest desktop OS code named Feisty Fawn. It is free and easy to use. Download it at this link:
http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu
They do send free copies to people who request them. You can do that on the same download link.
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http://Gambian.blogspot.com |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2007 : 15:10:55
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hahah Ous
thanks for the links and info, i think competition is always good and this is just the start. the point is the dent is not only on the server market but also on the desktop end.
infact just yesterday i installed Suse Linux on a PC at my friend's Internet Cafe and he's really impressed with it.
i had earlier on given him SuSE Linux 9.1 LiveCD and he was so impressed that the whole operating system could just run on a CD and it worked. we even connected to the net.!!!! its very user friendly, totally diff from my first experience (7.1). now its just clicking next, next next etc!! and its all free.
hopefully next week i should get the lastest Suse and he might put it on all his PCs in the Cafe, the first LINUX Internet CAFE in The Gambia perhaps .
i'll keep you informed. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11700 Posts |
Posted - 22 Apr 2007 : 18:05:41
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The last time I had experimented Linux was with RedHat some years ago. I didn't think it was easy to configure as most Linux fans would like us to believe. There were driver and other security problems and at the end I had to give up.
Perhaps I should give it another try with Suse or Ubuntu. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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Ousman
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - 23 Apr 2007 : 18:29:08
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Njucks,
If you are impressed with Suse 9.1, the latest edition 10.2 will blow you away. I always wonder why internet cafes don't use Linux to fray the cost associated with Windows. But the thought occurs to me that they are not burden much with cost since most of the windows OS running on their machines are pirated any way.
Momodou:
You are right. Linux is still not for the faint of heart. The drivers issue still plague Linux distros. However if you decide to give it a try, Suse Linux and Ubuntu have one of the best desktop flavors out there. I have the two of them running on a dual boot machine at home for web browsing. They save me the headache associated with malware. |
http://Gambian.blogspot.com |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 04 Sep 2007 : 23:02:27
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quote:
Originally posted by Ousman
Njucks,
If you are impressed with Suse 9.1, the latest edition 10.2 will blow you away.
http://iht.com/articles/2007/09/04/business/msftweb.php?page=1
so microsoft has lost another battle. i think opensource is here to stay and the company should just get used to it and join in rather than trying to ''come and conquer''. i glad countries like Malaysia etc see this and voted No.
OpenOffice for wordprocessing is as good as MS Word and in fact allows you to make PDFs for free!! in both Linux and windows.
Microsoft has to wake up and open up.
Ous the Suse work well, no prob so far.
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Ousman
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - 11 Sep 2007 : 20:53:47
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Njucks,
I am glad you like the Suse. By the way Suse 10.3 is in the third Beta. It should be released in the Fall along with my favorite ubuntu.
The open office option is good for small businesses that don't require complex spreadsheets and the database capabilities of access. For large corporate businesses, Microsoft office still rules. The open office version has come a long way but it still lacks behind Microsoft. By the way Microsoft has a PDF conversion feature in office 2007 until Adobe balk. They removed it, but there is a plug in that customers can install. I did and it works like a champ.
Microsoft has already smelled the coffee when it comes to the viability of open source. No wonder they are coalescing with the likes of Novell, Linspire and a few others to muddy the water using intricate licensing and distribution deals. Don't count the softies out. I have a feeling that they will be making billions off open source not due to innovation but they are smart marketers.
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http://Gambian.blogspot.com |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 10:53:51
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thanks i'll be working on an upgrade soon. the Opensource crusade is catching up, yesterday IBM a pioneer in the computer world released a whole package of open-Office software called Symphony Lotus. Lotus is also an old package that has done well. i think the small businesses you mentioned will be pleased to have such a major player in opensource. i hope third world governments will take advantage as well.
this is the news release and a link to download the software is provided too
http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/22326.wss
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Ousman
USA
103 Posts |
Posted - 19 Sep 2007 : 19:33:08
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Njucks,
I downloaded and installed the Lotus Symphony suite yesterday. It is nice but still got ways to go to catch up with MS office. Developing nations will be better off using these open source applications no doubt about it. The cost savings will be tremendous. |
http://Gambian.blogspot.com |
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