Monday, April 21, 2008
WINDOWS ABOUT TO COLLAPSE?
There are an increasing number of signs that in the PC world, Windows is NOT the future. In its most recent poll, Sunbelt-Software, which makes software EXCLUSIVELY for Windows, asked the respondents, "Is Windows Collapsing?" The result: 57% answered, "If they don't make some radical changes, they will."
The result is astounding, but it reflects an increasing confidence among PC users that they could do very well without Microsoft in their future, thank you.
Part of the reason, of course, is the increasing popularity of Linux. It is difficult to put a finger on how many computers actually have Linux installed because software use has traditionally been measured by sales, and the most popular brands of Linux are free.
However, the package handlers at the post office no longer raise eyebrows whenever a recipient picks up his copy of Free Ubuntu. If you browse the forums over at istorya.net, you will find a lot of Cebuanos have already moved over to Ubuntu and its twin brother, Kubuntu. My daughter's school has changed their operating system from Windows to Edubuntu, thus ensuring that future graduates will be more familiar with Linux than with Windows.
The big surprise, though, was that PC World's latest issue featured Linux replacements for Windows programs as the lead story. Commentators on the radio show of its rival, PC Mag, stated on air that their recommendations to Microsoft for improving Windows have finally been fulfilled, by Ubuntu.
Already, Linux users using the KDE interface are eagerly awaiting the latest versions of their favored brand of Linux that will offer KDE 4.0. Version 4.0 is a major tweaking of the interface that features better graphics. Many have been so impatient that they decided to install the beta previews, bugs notwithstanding. If you download the latest version of FREE openSUSE, you will find an incredibly polished implementation of KDE. Of course, SUSE benefits from being the leading commercial brand of Linux, having released a free version only when Ubuntu came along.
So as a diehard Windows fan, do I think Windows is going to collapse?
I am watching for two signs that will confirm that it will. The first is that Adobe will release native Linux versions of its popular Photoshop. The second, that the most popular games will be playable in Linux.
Disney has reportedly jumped the gun and is running Photoshop on Linux using the Windows emulator WINE. As for games, you can already run the latest version of Quake on Linux WITHOUT any emulator at all. What will happen when a major distributor like Steamgames jumps on board the Linux bandwagon?
Let's just say I cast my vote with the 57%.
The result is astounding, but it reflects an increasing confidence among PC users that they could do very well without Microsoft in their future, thank you.
Part of the reason, of course, is the increasing popularity of Linux. It is difficult to put a finger on how many computers actually have Linux installed because software use has traditionally been measured by sales, and the most popular brands of Linux are free.
However, the package handlers at the post office no longer raise eyebrows whenever a recipient picks up his copy of Free Ubuntu. If you browse the forums over at istorya.net, you will find a lot of Cebuanos have already moved over to Ubuntu and its twin brother, Kubuntu. My daughter's school has changed their operating system from Windows to Edubuntu, thus ensuring that future graduates will be more familiar with Linux than with Windows.
The big surprise, though, was that PC World's latest issue featured Linux replacements for Windows programs as the lead story. Commentators on the radio show of its rival, PC Mag, stated on air that their recommendations to Microsoft for improving Windows have finally been fulfilled, by Ubuntu.
Already, Linux users using the KDE interface are eagerly awaiting the latest versions of their favored brand of Linux that will offer KDE 4.0. Version 4.0 is a major tweaking of the interface that features better graphics. Many have been so impatient that they decided to install the beta previews, bugs notwithstanding. If you download the latest version of FREE openSUSE, you will find an incredibly polished implementation of KDE. Of course, SUSE benefits from being the leading commercial brand of Linux, having released a free version only when Ubuntu came along.
So as a diehard Windows fan, do I think Windows is going to collapse?
I am watching for two signs that will confirm that it will. The first is that Adobe will release native Linux versions of its popular Photoshop. The second, that the most popular games will be playable in Linux.
Disney has reportedly jumped the gun and is running Photoshop on Linux using the Windows emulator WINE. As for games, you can already run the latest version of Quake on Linux WITHOUT any emulator at all. What will happen when a major distributor like Steamgames jumps on board the Linux bandwagon?
Let's just say I cast my vote with the 57%.
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