October 12, 2007 9:49 AM PDT
Dell: Microsoft warnings haven't hurt Linux uptake
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Speaking to CNET News.com sister site ZDNet UK at a conference Thursday, Dell's chief executive said his company has seen Linux uptake for servers increase faster than Windows server products, despite Microsoft's claims.
Michael Dell
"On the server side Linux continues to grow nicely, a bit faster than Windows," said Dell in an interview during the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo in Orlando. "We're seeing a move to Linux in critical applications, and Linux migration has not slowed down."
However, for those customers who might be concerned about whether Microsoft's claims of patent violation could result in legal action, Dell added that there were "certainly mechanisms if customers are concerned about patents."
In May, Microsoft claimed that free and open-source software violated more than 230 of its patents, but hasn't provided more detailed information following the statement.
Dell's chief marketing officer, Mark Jarvis, claimed that though the two vendors have had a close relationship in the past, Microsoft had not given Dell any more information about the issue of patent infringement, despite Dell supporting Linux on its server range and more recently on its desktops and notebooks.
"When we announced the Linux notebook, we didn't get a call from Microsoft--whatever rumblings have been heard, they haven't been heard in Austin, Texas (near where Dell is based)," Jarvis said.
On May 24, Dell launched its first PCs based on Linux in the U.S.: a basic model, Inspiron E1505n, a more powerful Dimension E520n and a top-of-the-range XPS 410n.
Jarvis added that Dell did not expect its Linux PCs to sell in large numbers, reiterating that Linux growth was with servers.
"Are they (Linux PCs) going to sell a lot? Absolutely not. But on the server side we've seen continued growth," said Jarvis.
Tom Espiner of ZDNet UK reported from London.
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This is not intended as a knock on either operating system, but I have to ask... why is is reversed in server/desktop percentages between the two?
Maybe it's cost? Microsoft server is not cheap and neither are the licenses for it. The microsoft desktop is cheap (especially when sold OEM). Linux desktop and server are the same price (free).
I think we are seeing a shift because of price as you said but I don't think it is because of businesses cheeping out. I think it is because of students (in a classroom or a home nerd) that have little money to build the knowledge. They will use what they have learned. Since linux and BSD is free its pretty obvious that it will be used more.
I know about the trial software but is 120days really enough to learn something?
My -$0.02
Thanks
Jay
A upgrade from WinXP (doesn't matter what version)
99$ This kills the WindowsXP license so you can't go back.
Then you have to worry about drivers not working and software not working etc. The one thing that killed the whole thing for me (and I was inrolled in the vista beta by mail so I did have hopes) was the drm and signed drivers. Everyone who has windows XP know that most of the drivers for most of the equipment out there is unsigned. So there is no way I will buy a new OS hoping that all my hardware will work.
If they wanted to go the signed route they should of enforced it with XP. That way the hardware developers would be already used to doing it.
We just want stuff that works for less money.
Of course MS can't won't slow Linux. That's just a silly assumtion on all levels.
To man people and organizations that have alteady went to Linux and those people will never again be willing to pay the corporate premiums MS demands.
Linux is only going to grow. PERIOD!
I wonder what convolutions and mistruths the fanboys will be cooking up now?
/P
have been bad. Its better to get a thinkpad instead. They work
perfect with most linux distros including Ubuntu.
At least they were not so greedy with WindowsXP. They only split it in only two ways. The HOME version, and the PRO version.
People are now realizing that Linux can do the same things that Windows can do. It can do it cheaper, require less hardware requirements, and we don't have to call "home" for the permission to install and run Linux. There are enough Linux versions to satisfy anyone's needs. And the price is right, FREE!
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by Ted Miller
October 15, 2007 5:42 AM PDT
- This I just learned not to long ago and from a pretty good source. But then again you tell me...
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See all 24 Comments >>VISTA was largly developed in INDIA!
The programmers are largely LINUX oriented people.
The person who I learned this from is from India and has a lot friends there who did the VISTA coding. All are LINUX users.
If this is true could anyone add to this? Facts would be nice.
If it is not true, could you prove it?