MIT backs Brazil's choice of Linux over Microsoft

Non-proprietary software praised for cost, power, quality, and for open source code.

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Shared-Source Code vs Open-Source Software

Considering the fact that Microsoft has already embarked on what is called "A Shared-Source Code Program" in which Governments as well as organizations around the world do have access to the "Windows" source code contrary to what appears to be the opinion of the learned gentlemen at the Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their letter to the Brazilian government.... what needs to be considered carefully is the fact that there are hidden costs (services and middleware software costs) that will determine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)... the big question to be asked here is - how does Open-Source Software stack up against proprietary software in terms of TCO. Perhaps, IBM should move "OS/2 Warp" to the open-source community.

[Raife]

Spoken like a true 'Microsoft' DRONE...

As a current 'technology provider' (largely Microsoft-oriented, BTW) who has also worked in the 'research' and 'education' fields, I would like to say that your observations appear to be nothing more than a rehash of thoroughly-discredited Microsoft "FUD" (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt).

1. Microsoft's "Shared Source Initiative", is ridiculously expensive, only allows narrow-application (not general release), and only allows access to a subset of 'Microsoft-code' (all of which means that it provides virtually NO BENEFIT to the very 'population' that Brazil is trying specifically to help).

And...

2. The "TCO" argument has been very effectively rebutted time, and time, again. The most telling characteristic of this particular (Microsoft-created), subterfuge is the fact that, most often when "MS" products seem to 'cost-less', ...the reality is that the, so-called 'study' actually refers to a starting-point of a previously-existing complete 'Microsoft-dependence', ...being shifted into a "Linux" environment (with virtually no internal "Linux" expertise available).

So, I'd have to say that, the conclusion of 'recommending' a "...lower cost", "...open-source" technology-base seems, to me, to indeed be the best route towards a healthy, viable, and cost-effective 'technologically-aware' and 'self-sufficient' population and industry.

Shared-Source Code vs Open-Source Software

Considering the fact that Microsoft has already embarked on what is called "A Shared-Source Code Program" in which Governments as well as organizations around the world do have access to the "Windows" source code contrary to what appears to be the opinion of the learned gentlemen at the Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in their letter to the Brazilian government.... what needs to be considered carefully is the fact that there are hidden costs (services and middleware software costs) that will determine the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)... the big question to be asked here is - how does Open-Source Software stack up against proprietary software in terms of TCO. Perhaps, IBM should move "OS/2 Warp" to the open-source community.

[Raife]

Spoken like a true 'Microsoft' DRONE...

As a current 'technology provider' (largely Microsoft-oriented, BTW) who has also worked in the 'research' and 'education' fields, I would like to say that your observations appear to be nothing more than a rehash of thoroughly-discredited Microsoft "FUD" (Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt).

1. Microsoft's "Shared Source Initiative", is ridiculously expensive, only allows narrow-application (not general release), and only allows access to a subset of 'Microsoft-code' (all of which means that it provides virtually NO BENEFIT to the very 'population' that Brazil is trying specifically to help).

And...

2. The "TCO" argument has been very effectively rebutted time, and time, again. The most telling characteristic of this particular (Microsoft-created), subterfuge is the fact that, most often when "MS" products seem to 'cost-less', ...the reality is that the, so-called 'study' actually refers to a starting-point of a previously-existing complete 'Microsoft-dependence', ...being shifted into a "Linux" environment (with virtually no internal "Linux" expertise available).

So, I'd have to say that, the conclusion of 'recommending' a "...lower cost", "...open-source" technology-base seems, to me, to indeed be the best route towards a healthy, viable, and cost-effective 'technologically-aware' and 'self-sufficient' population and industry.

The World is not American

Brazil can do whatever they want. Why anybody else but M$ would care about whether Brazil uses M$ products is beyond me. And now you have some guy here in this talkback criticizing Brazil and MITs position.
I personally completely trust MIT's opinion. If MIT backs Brazil's decision, then I back it too.
After a while it becomes obvious when Microsoft employees are 'out there' as in 'right here in this talkback', promoting their own brainwashing company.
A lot of people read these comments and M$ knows that.
But, I'll continue to do my part on letting the world know where M$ is going wrong, as many others will too.
Until M$ opens up their code, they have everything to hide.
There are so many things that M$ has intentionally broken it's not even funny, they need to learn how to share and play well with others.
'nuff said.

[Earl Benser]

MS isn't going to open anything....

Nor should they have to, as long as they are willing to accept the
impact of their decision on their marketing success.

Actually, the way Windows has developed (as a massive series of
bandaid fixes and 'innovative' additions to the original Windows
code), MS probably could not afford to open up the code - there
isn't anyone around now who could defend (or intepret) the
coding. That would also be true for any other company who
markets a piece of software so long in the tooth as Windows.
Even my own programs from the 90's now are almost
indecipherable even to me, although they still work.

So let MS do it their way - they don't really have a choice. And if
their way costs them, that's the price of doing business.

The World is not American

Brazil can do whatever they want. Why anybody else but M$ would care about whether Brazil uses M$ products is beyond me. And now you have some guy here in this talkback criticizing Brazil and MITs position.
I personally completely trust MIT's opinion. If MIT backs Brazil's decision, then I back it too.
After a while it becomes obvious when Microsoft employees are 'out there' as in 'right here in this talkback', promoting their own brainwashing company.
A lot of people read these comments and M$ knows that.
But, I'll continue to do my part on letting the world know where M$ is going wrong, as many others will too.
Until M$ opens up their code, they have everything to hide.
There are so many things that M$ has intentionally broken it's not even funny, they need to learn how to share and play well with others.
'nuff said.

[Earl Benser]

MS isn't going to open anything....

Nor should they have to, as long as they are willing to accept the
impact of their decision on their marketing success.

Actually, the way Windows has developed (as a massive series of
bandaid fixes and 'innovative' additions to the original Windows
code), MS probably could not afford to open up the code - there
isn't anyone around now who could defend (or intepret) the
coding. That would also be true for any other company who
markets a piece of software so long in the tooth as Windows.
Even my own programs from the 90's now are almost
indecipherable even to me, although they still work.

So let MS do it their way - they don't really have a choice. And if
their way costs them, that's the price of doing business.

[nealda]

Simple Solution

(Don't you love posts that start out that way?)

- Form one line where Brazilians can purchase their PCs with free software installed.
- Form a second line where they can purchase a Windows license for it if they want.

Of course, Microsoft won't want them to have that much choice. I'm sure they'll say, "Pre-installed Windows or nothing!" That just goes to show you that they're opposed to user freedom.

[nealda]

Simple Solution

(Don't you love posts that start out that way?)

- Form one line where Brazilians can purchase their PCs with free software installed.
- Form a second line where they can purchase a Windows license for it if they want.

Of course, Microsoft won't want them to have that much choice. I'm sure they'll say, "Pre-installed Windows or nothing!" That just goes to show you that they're opposed to user freedom.

The planet Earth is not the Universe

It is indeed a pleasure to have the opportunity to reply to the apparently "pro-Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, anti-M$, anti-'Microsoft' DRONE"... responses to my observations with regards to the recommendations for open-source software to the Brazilian government(and no, I am not an MS Drone; but, an "Warpie" and proponent of the "Enterprise" Warp Concept out of Germany in Europe; and, a Univ. of Sheffield trained. - In the context of the now touted Brazilian Government's "PC Conectado"... lest we forget IBM's "Network Computing with OS/2 Warp". In perspective, one needs to reflect briefly on the Bill Clinton's Administration's winning election campaign slogan "It's the Economy -Stupid!" to be able to truly understand the context within which it is felt the debate should move forward; (Question: is the "operating system" the "internet"? Who pays for the middleware and services costs... From a cultural standpoint; lets take a look at the Indian economy as an example - How much do open-source development matters to certain communities on the Indian Sub-Continent, I am quite sure the M$ matters to them. Then again, from a "development continuum" perspective... Microsoft's boss must certainly be credited for the company's innovative undertakings MS Office Live... - Buckingham Palace quite justifiably conveyed such a distinction recently - that of "Bill" Gates (KCMG).

The planet Earth is not the Universe

It is indeed a pleasure to have the opportunity to reply to the apparently "pro-Media Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, anti-M$, anti-'Microsoft' DRONE"... responses to my observations with regards to the recommendations for open-source software to the Brazilian government(and no, I am not an MS Drone; but, an "Warpie" and proponent of the "Enterprise" Warp Concept out of Germany in Europe; and, a Univ. of Sheffield trained. - In the context of the now touted Brazilian Government's "PC Conectado"... lest we forget IBM's "Network Computing with OS/2 Warp". In perspective, one needs to reflect briefly on the Bill Clinton's Administration's winning election campaign slogan "It's the Economy -Stupid!" to be able to truly understand the context within which it is felt the debate should move forward; (Question: is the "operating system" the "internet"? Who pays for the middleware and services costs... From a cultural standpoint; lets take a look at the Indian economy as an example - How much do open-source development matters to certain communities on the Indian Sub-Continent, I am quite sure the M$ matters to them. Then again, from a "development continuum" perspective... Microsoft's boss must certainly be credited for the company's innovative undertakings MS Office Live... - Buckingham Palace quite justifiably conveyed such a distinction recently - that of "Bill" Gates (KCMG).

[larryflowers]

MIT... Who cares

Since the wonderful eggheads at MIT have absolutely no concept of the real world, what difference does their recommendation make?
I run a Linux Machine, a Windows XP Machine and a Win 2003 Server. Linux is a wonderful operating system... but my sister or brother, but intelligent adults would never be able to deal with it. For all practical purposes no "typical" person could use it the way they can a Windows OS.
And while were at it, I am tired of al the Microsoft Bashing! I am responsible for nearly 300 Windows computers. There has not been one trojan, worm, virus or exploit of any kind on any of them in many years. If you were to believe the media.. Windows leaks like a sieve and Linux is invincible. The facts prove otherwise. I see to it that patches are installed, updates are run, antivirus definitions stay up to date and firewalls are in place. None of this is any different than maintaining your home or your car or anything else that you value. As a matter of fact, XP and 2003 as well as todays antivirus and firewall software has made this job extremely easy.
So the next time you want to bash Microsoft or recommend a software that has a minimal benefit on the American economy, think twice.. Microsoft may not be perfect, but they represent they greatest good for the greatest number of people.

I feel quite insulted

What distro are you using? I think you seriously underestimate the intelligence of the human population. I installed MandrakeLinux less than a month ago on my home desktop PC after years of using Windows, and I couldn't be happier with it. I will never, ever go back to Windows.

I have no technical background (although I do consider myself a quick learner), and it only took me a couple of days to get it running just as I wanted it to from a completely new install. (That doesn't mean getting it working - it means customising all of it's features to my liking. I can do a lot of things I couldn't do with Windows).

The Brazilians will probably have an even better deal as everything will already be preinstalled for them.

I honestly think that the Linux version will take off if their government goes ahead with the plan, and it will be a victory for the "little people" who can't afford to keep on buying proprietry software.

The other advantage is that as some of the population takes up the offer they will learn about Linux, and then it will be easier for other of their poor to buy a cheap PC with no software & install their own copies of Linux (after all, my copy of Mandrake cost me $12 in a magazine & it came with thousands of programs included - what's Windows cost & what software comes included with it - Linux wins hands-down).

BTW, "Linux is a wonderful operating system... but my sister or brother, but intelligent adults would never be able to deal with it. For all practical purposes no "typical" person could use it the way they can a Windows OS." is a pretty strong comment to make - I'm an average intelligence person & I can work it.

[larryflowers]

MIT... Who cares

Since the wonderful eggheads at MIT have absolutely no concept of the real world, what difference does their recommendation make?
I run a Linux Machine, a Windows XP Machine and a Win 2003 Server. Linux is a wonderful operating system... but my sister or brother, but intelligent adults would never be able to deal with it. For all practical purposes no "typical" person could use it the way they can a Windows OS.
And while were at it, I am tired of al the Microsoft Bashing! I am responsible for nearly 300 Windows computers. There has not been one trojan, worm, virus or exploit of any kind on any of them in many years. If you were to believe the media.. Windows leaks like a sieve and Linux is invincible. The facts prove otherwise. I see to it that patches are installed, updates are run, antivirus definitions stay up to date and firewalls are in place. None of this is any different than maintaining your home or your car or anything else that you value. As a matter of fact, XP and 2003 as well as todays antivirus and firewall software has made this job extremely easy.
So the next time you want to bash Microsoft or recommend a software that has a minimal benefit on the American economy, think twice.. Microsoft may not be perfect, but they represent they greatest good for the greatest number of people.

I feel quite insulted

What distro are you using? I think you seriously underestimate the intelligence of the human population. I installed MandrakeLinux less than a month ago on my home desktop PC after years of using Windows, and I couldn't be happier with it. I will never, ever go back to Windows.

I have no technical background (although I do consider myself a quick learner), and it only took me a couple of days to get it running just as I wanted it to from a completely new install. (That doesn't mean getting it working - it means customising all of it's features to my liking. I can do a lot of things I couldn't do with Windows).

The Brazilians will probably have an even better deal as everything will already be preinstalled for them.

I honestly think that the Linux version will take off if their government goes ahead with the plan, and it will be a victory for the "little people" who can't afford to keep on buying proprietry software.

The other advantage is that as some of the population takes up the offer they will learn about Linux, and then it will be easier for other of their poor to buy a cheap PC with no software & install their own copies of Linux (after all, my copy of Mandrake cost me $12 in a magazine & it came with thousands of programs included - what's Windows cost & what software comes included with it - Linux wins hands-down).

BTW, "Linux is a wonderful operating system... but my sister or brother, but intelligent adults would never be able to deal with it. For all practical purposes no "typical" person could use it the way they can a Windows OS." is a pretty strong comment to make - I'm an average intelligence person & I can work it.