Considering Microsoft is always saying hows it software is so superior to Linux, they're running out of reasons. Now they have got to a point where they are attacking the once believed strongest reason for using Linux. Yes, that's right, Microsoft are actually saying they're products are cheaper to run in the long run!!!
But here's my point. WHO CARES!? I don't use any operating system because its cheaper. I'm sure the folks at Google and other high-traffic sites wouldn't want to give up some flexibility, reliability and security just to save a few extra bucks. It's a well known reason that most Linux users use Linux for its reliability, open-sourcedness and the fact it isn't made by Microsoft.
Well to point out the popularity of different operating systems amoung computer users I have figured out how many entries in Google there are for each type:
Linux: 221, 000, 000
Microsoft: 186, 000, 000
Apple: 87, 500, 000
Take that microsoft! More people write on the internet write web pages with Linux in them than Microsoft! And do you know what? Microsoft recently released their goals/objectives for 2005 and one of them was a frontal assault on Open Source software!!!
I can understand a company taking on another company who was stealing their profits, but Open Source software is often made by computer hobbyists and contributed to by the community. Sure this is going to mean better quality software on both frontiers (Open Source and Commercial software) but if Microsoft uses its illegal monopoly to do this by shipping more of its "quality" programs out bundled in its OSes it may mean the end of Open Source. And we all know if the fight is down to Microsoft and Microsoft it will definitely be an unhappy hour for the rest of the computer hobbyists out there!
On a more positive note, Apple is now selling more of their awesome computers thanks to their iPods. People are now waking up, breathing the fresh air, and heading into Apple Stores to buy iPods and great computers.
