Linux Director: Battling Microsoft is "Like Kicking a Puppy"
Linux Director: Battling Microsoft is "Like Kicking a Puppy"
Posted 04/08/2011 at 6:13am
| by Paul Lilly
7
Comments
Print
Depending on which market research firm you believe is the most accurate, Microsoft's total usage share for all versions of Windows ranges from about 84 percent to more than 91 percent. Microsoft is the largest software company on the planet with a market capitalization of over $220 billion, which is more than the GDP of Egypt and dozens of other countries. None of that means anything to Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation.
"I think we just don't care that much [about Microsoft] anymore," Zemlin said. "They used to be our big rival, but now it's kind of like kicking a puppy."
Zemlin's stance isn't based on Microsoft's dominance on the home desktop, but in almost every other market, and especially server-side computing and mobile, he says.
"I think that on the 20th anniversary, it's worth reflecting back on where we came from," Zemlin said in an an interview with Network World. He points out that Linux had a "humble start as a project for a college student in Helsinki, to something today that runs 70 percent of global equity trading, something that powers, really, the majority of Internet traffic, whether it's Facebook, Google, or Amazon."
Look around and you'll find Linux everywhere, both online and offline. A whole host of CE devices run Linux, from TVs to smartphones, to tablets and eBook readers like the Kindle. The big exception is desktops, where Windows still dominates. But does it matter?
"Today people use smartphones more, in many ways, than they may use their traditional PCs," Zemlin said. "In that case, Linux really does have dominant market share through things like Android or other versions of Linux that are out there in the mobile space."
More like this
7
Comments
Comments are closed on this article
nightkiller
April 08, 2011 at 9:26pm
Of course, you're saying that, Jim... it's what you're paid to do.
Yes, I run Linux on my edge. Yes, I run Windows so I can access the tools to make money. Would I put it on User desktops? Perhaps if I was working for the City of Vienna. Choice is good.
You use a flightless bird as a mascot and wonder why it doesn't fly?
cpuking2010
April 08, 2011 at 1:09pm
Didn't these guys just a few short months ago have trouble with Android claiming to be linux? funny now that Androids are the biggest smartphone in town, they have no problem claiming it.
compro01
April 08, 2011 at 7:38pm
How about a link to that? As I can't find anything. The Linux foundation annouced developing training courses for Android back in Janaury.
ShyLinuxGuy
April 08, 2011 at 11:04am
I used to be one of those Linux super-fanbois back in 7th grade, but I've grown out of it for one, and Linux, especially Ubuntu, can prove itself now for the most part. I actually don't despise Microsoft or Windows like most fambois, I think Windows 7 is the best yet, but I always say that Linux and Windows has the things it does well, and then the things it doesn't do so well.
Linux does dominate the Web and many enterprise servers though...that tells you that it's widely trusted. It isn't on PCs because of the simple fact that Windows comes with 99% of them, and ordinary users won't justify removing something they know (Windows) and replacing it with something they don't know (Linux).
MBK
April 08, 2011 at 7:25am
"If it weren't for the joke of Linux gaming, I'd be rolling Linux all the time..."
This (along with other unstable/incompatible applications).
I'd love to be able to run linux and see it become the main desktop OS. The issue (besides MS dominance) is that most users either don't care or find it daunting by reputation. Additionally, versions which are more user friendly (Ubuntu) are almost as bloated and unstable as Windows, so the majority of people have no reason to switch (besides the cost).
praetor_alpha
April 08, 2011 at 7:05am
If it weren't for the joke of Linux gaming, I'd be rolling Linux all the time at home. I put it on mom's computer, and had amazingly few problems.
Connect with MaximumPC
Featured Content
The gang discusses the GTX 690, Trinity, Ivy Bridge, Amazon, big-box stores, MMOs,...
This month's issue
Feature
Build a PC On Any Budget
Feature
Cloud Services Showdown
How-To
Encrypt Your External Drive
Build It
Upgrade an X58 Rig
Most Commented Articles
Latest Max PC Tweets
- maximumpc: Original RickRoll Video Returns to YouTube After 24-Hour Copyright Hiatus http://t.co/MaH9Sxyy1 day 19 hours ago
- maximumpc: Corsair has decided not to go forward with its $78 million IPO, citing weak equity market conditions http://t.co/A5a4DAzj1 day 19 hours ago
- maximumpc: Want to work at Maximum PC? Our Online Managing Editor, Alex, is moving away, so we need a new one. http://t.co/9Z7JCh0E3 days 16 hours ago
