Posted by: Mandrake Magician
on August 19, 2003 11:16 AM
"The situation has changed very dramatically in the last two years. Whatever numbers are being used for projections are too low. Way too low."
I agree wholeheartedly. Saying that I use Linux used to raise eyebrows<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... now people just want to know how it stacks up against Windows and what version I would recommend for a newcomer (to Linux). Oh<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... and where they can buy a copy. I tell them which local retailers carry it.
Lots and LOTS of people have simply "had it" with Windows and Linux is the only game in town that will run on the hardware they already own.
That part is important. They already bought a computer. It is going to lose its copy of Windows and gain a copy of Linux. No one anywhere is going to subtract 1 from the Windows column and add 1 to the Linux column<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... but that's what happened.
I am convinced that Windows is way over-counted and Linux is equally under-counted.
(Okay<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... I know *BSD will also run on x86<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... but the people doing the asking don't know *BSD exists and don't care to spend the big bucks needed for a Mac to run OS-X. That makes Linux the only game in town.)
I also patronize companies that list Linux compatibility. I'm getting ready to buy a HP 3-1 printer / fax / copier this week because of the penguin logo on the outside of the box.
I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is and have the empty hardware and software boxes to prove it. For me, no matter how low the price, hardware that won't work with Linux is just money wasted.
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Re:90%
Posted by: Mandrake Magician on August 19, 2003 11:16 AMI agree wholeheartedly. Saying that I use Linux used to raise eyebrows<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... now people just want to know how it stacks up against Windows and what version I would recommend for a newcomer (to Linux). Oh<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... and where they can buy a copy. I tell them which local retailers carry it.
Lots and LOTS of people have simply "had it" with Windows and Linux is the only game in town that will run on the hardware they already own.
That part is important. They already bought a computer. It is going to lose its copy of Windows and gain a copy of Linux. No one anywhere is going to subtract 1 from the Windows column and add 1 to the Linux column<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... but that's what happened.
I am convinced that Windows is way over-counted and Linux is equally under-counted.
(Okay<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... I know *BSD will also run on x86<nobr> <wbr></nobr>... but the people doing the asking don't know *BSD exists and don't care to spend the big bucks needed for a Mac to run OS-X. That makes Linux the only game in town.)
I also patronize companies that list Linux compatibility. I'm getting ready to buy a HP 3-1 printer / fax / copier this week because of the penguin logo on the outside of the box.
I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is and have the empty hardware and software boxes to prove it. For me, no matter how low the price, hardware that won't work with Linux is just money wasted.
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