Microsoft launches new preWindows7 anti-Linux offensive

[Night Hawk]

Microsoft launches new pre-Windows 7 anti-Linux offensive

Posted by Raquel Leoncio
26 September 2009, 1:04 pm

Microsoft has confirmed it developed materials that portray Linux as unsuitable for consumer use, and distributed these to retail sales staff around the United States.

Among its claims the sales materials asserts that Windows scores a “many” for compatibility with cameras, iPod and MP3 players, as well as for printers and scanners. Linux is rated as “few.”

The brochure scores Windows as having “extensive” software compatibility and Linux as being “limited.”

The materials give a big tick to Windows as having “authorised support,” “video chat on all major IM networks,” and being able to play “the games your customers want (e.g. World of Warcraft).”

By contrast, a red stop sign adorns the Linux columns for each.

Under the category “Window Live Essentials (e.g. Messenger, Mail, Photo Gallery)” the Windows column notes the product is a free download but is not supported under Linux.

Additional materials claim that Windows is “familiar and easy to use” and is “what most customers want.” As you might guess, Linux gets the stop sign for these categories.

Microsoft asserts the charts were “specifically developed to show sales professionals the important differences between Linux computers and Windows computers, so they are well equipped to help customers purchase a PC that gives them the experience they expect.”

More at: Microsoft launches new pre-Windows 7 anti-Linux offensive « Science & Technology News

 

[kirov]

Good timing.

 

[wpurcell]

Fools. They want everything, but they won't get everything.

 

[masterB]

The fear of the penguin.

 

[fseal]

Ugh, while everything that they say is probably entirely true. Just saying it puts them in a "bad" position.

Linux doesn't ever have to be mentiond at all. Just make the point, let the user guess if your referring to Mac or Linux or Beos or whatever.

Mentioning names just needlessly shakes the behives for no purpose.

Now if Linux had 50% consumer market share, more direct comparisons might be needed, MS is like this in the server space, but for retail consumer channels? that just makes Linux seem like a bigger deal than it is.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying Linux is "no big deal" but the fact is, in the consumer and buisness desktop space it's almost non-existant. For the science, hobbiest and server space it's rocking the house MS doesn't have any need to be calling Linux out on the desktop at this point in time...

Actually I really dislike ALL of Microsoft's advertising, Apple's too. It's all a war of words, how about showing more of what the OS can do for you instead?

 

[Night Hawk]

If you saw the latest commercials MS has on youtube you might have a laugh with the characters pressing a finger on the screen to switch people around in the background. When you see enough lame ads on tv that kind of belittles them a bit there!

What amused about that article however was the comparison of why WLM works on Windows but not Linux. You know what I say? "Give me a Break!" :roflmao:

 

[Lordbob75]

The fear of the penguin.

Sphenisciphobia?

~Lordbob

 

[valtonray]

truth is ms is pretty much dead on about linux. while yeah you can make linux do a lot of things the average user isnt going to know how. getting linux to run on your computer and use all the available hardware is usually a pita. people generally know how to use windows already.

 

[wpurcell]

Well, I like 7 and it will be my main OS, but for a "user friendly" GNU/Linux OS, Ubuntu can't be beat! The biggest problem is wireless on a laptop, but checking on compatibility before buying solves that issue.

 

[swarfega]

Linux simply isnt ready for mass adoption yet. It needs to do what Windows 2000 did and leave the command line behind.

 

[whs]

Well, I like 7 and it will be my main OS, but for a "user friendly" GNU/Linux OS, Ubuntu can't be beat! The biggest problem is wireless on a laptop, but checking on compatibility before buying solves that issue.

Hmm, I tried Ubuntu and found it to be quite "user unfriendly". Too much command line stuff if you really wanted to get things done. But then again, I am a Vista (and now W7) fan. Maybe I have the wrong perspective.

 

[Night Hawk]

Actually I found the newer live distros to be far less command line and seemingly leaning more towards a Windows type gui over the older server type and other smaller older releases. The main factor about Linux however it is still too heavily based on the old UNIX platform while the gui has undergone changes as far as appearance and functionality.

Ubuntu, Knoppix, the latest Puppy all immediately detected the ethernet connection here without any drivers needed simply through the network configuration tools.

 

[pparks1]

Linux simply isnt ready for mass adoption yet. It needs to do what Windows 2000 did and leave the command line behind.

Leave the command line behind...are you crazy????? That's what many of us love about Linux. The absolute power and control at the command line.

The command line is excellent for writing documentation about how to set up a linux box. I maintain a few documents at work and on the web for setting up Ubuntu boxes and you can simply cut and paste my command and you get it "exactly" right....every single time. None of this click here, click there, click on this tab, go to advanced, click there, then click OK 6 times and so forth.

Using a file based setup is also easy for moving services from one server to another. For example, you can load an FTP server, move the ftp.conf file, restart the system and you are back up and running. It couldn't be easier.

And it's very easy to discover a problem with an apache web server configuration when you can simply diff the 2 files and determine what has changed. Sure beats clicking through zillions of pages in the IIS manager to figure things out.

And if you manage any Windows servers at all, you have likely noticed the trend towards using the PowerShell....rather than the GUI. There are quite a number of things in Exchange Server 2007 that you simply CANNOT do in the GUI no matter how many places you click.

What I am saying is that the GUI is alright and will be there for some...but the command line is not going away. I really wish for the ease of settings things up in Windows that I could do MORE from the command line.

For example, In Ubuntu, I can type in

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

This one simple commands adds in MP3 support, DVD playback support, Java Run time support, Flash Player Support, and Microsoft True Type Font support. It's pretty drop-dead simple and anybody can cut and paste it into their terminal window and they are done.

 

[bobtran]

While I am and will continue to be a Windows fan I also appreciate Linux. The newest releases are getting close to Windows in their usability and the command line is not needed for most user level tasks. As with Windows however (Command prompt please) there are things at a more advanced level that needs access at the command level.

I would venture to guess that the main reason that Linux has not hit it off with the average user is that they never come into contact with the Linux OS and that if Bestbuy, Walmart, etc was selling Linux on Desktops beside Windows desktops and charged less as they should for the exact same hardware instead of loading it on the cheapest hardware (when it is available at all) and then comparing it to the more advanced Windows boxes,then Linux would see a much larger uptake. Its a simple matter of what is available to the average non-technical PC user where they shop.

Bestbuy..nope
Microcenter...nope
Dell...nope
Gateway....nope
lenovo...nope
HP...nope
Tigerdirect...nope
Newegg...nope
Zipzoomfly...nope

Need I say more. Each OS has a lot to offer and as we go forward we are going to see Windows and Linux imitating each other more and more. I actually see each as necessary, to the evolution of the desktop OS as we have come to know it, and even more as the OS continues to evolve.

As for wireless, Linux works right out of the box on an old PIII with netgear wireless card as well as most newer wireless cards and routers so this issue is becoming a moot point as well.

 

[Night Hawk]

The one thing now seen in 7 is improved support for Linux based applications showing the lean toward flexibility being made by MS there!

 

[Lordbob75]

Dell...nope

Dell actually does sell a laptop with Ubuntu installed.

~Lordbob

 

[masterB]

Bestbuy..nope

Dell...nope

I have seen a Dell laptop with Ubuntu at Best Buy few months ago.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/segtopic.aspx/linux_3x?c=us&l=en&cs=19

 

[DarkDavil]

Well, I like 7 and it will be my main OS, but for a "user friendly" GNU/Linux OS, Ubuntu can't be beat! The biggest problem is wireless on a laptop, but checking on compatibility before buying solves that issue.

+1 Exactly what I'm doing, I have a medium-sized partition for my Ubuntu

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there.

I can't see the point of this -- its like comparing a Ferrari and a Pickup -- A Ferrari might be faster and more effective on German Autobahns or US Freeways (where 55 MPH not enforced) - but I'd rather use ANY day a pickup (especially 4 wheel drive) in the Icelandic interior or in the Southern US everglades.

Linux can of course be used as a "consumer" OS but in the same way you could attempt to use a Ferrari "off road" but I don't think even the most convinced Linux user would recommend it to be used as a "general purpose OS" for the masses or a Ferrari driver would enjoy the off road experience in his / her 250,000 usd plus car.

Linux has some really great strengths such as stability, security, networking and above all configurability but these very strengths are also its weakness in a general purpose consumer market where people essentially just want to switch on a computer and run their applications.

Whilst Linux systems are much better these days - one STILL needs a lot of knowlege to install and use these successfully and I can just imagine explaining to an 80 year old Grandmum the nuances of having to compile an application or patch a kernel module to get the system to work.

MS has got better things to do than start a "Witch hunt" IMO. W7 is an excellent product and should be sold as such.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[pparks1]

Linux has some really great strengths such as stability, security, networking and above all configurability but these very strengths are also its weakness in a general purpose consumer market where people essentially just want to switch on a computer and run their applications.

Actually, that is exactly an area where Linux can be quite good. It's typically the people who want to use MP3 players, camcorders and other miscellaneous hardware which may or may not have support that have a tougher time

For somebody that needs to surf the web, do email, and use a couple of basic office type files....Linux is easily managed. If you consider the cost savings of not having to license the software, coupled with no real need for antivirus, antispyware, antimalware, and defragging and you have a really simple system that you can just turn on, use and turn off.

Microsoft's focal point needs to remain on the "complete breadth" and complete experience. You need to push the benefits to overshadow the downsides which we all know do exist.