At&T Considers Linux - Beginning of the end for Microsoft

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

Here is the story from Linux.org:
http://www.linux.org/news/2004/10/05/0009.html

I just want to know what everyone thinks on the issue. What will all of us
VB developers do, there isn't much of an equivalent language in Linux?

Any comments?
Christopher

 

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Christopher,
You may want to check out Mono.

Mono has released a Mono 1.0 that allows you to run .NET applications
(including VB.NET applications) on Linux, Windows, and MAC OS!

http://www.mono-project.com/about/index.html

Hope this helps
Jay

 

[Tom Dacon]

"Beginning of the end for Microsoft"...

I could just pinch your cheeks...


Tom Dacon
Dacon Software Consulting

 

[Richard L Rosenheim]

You might find the fact that UNIX was created at Bell Labs relevant. And
Linux is conceptually based upon UNIX. So, you could say that ATT is really
just returning to its roots.

Richard Rosenheim

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Christopher,

I just want to know what everyone thinks on the issue. What will all of us
VB developers do, there isn't much of an equivalent language in Linux?

Are those pages the equivalent to MSDN, than the VBNet developers should all
feel very happy.

For the rest, I thought forever that AT&T was using Unix or a derived
systems from that, maybe foolish to think from me because they want to stay
on the market as well.

Just my 2 eurocents

Cor

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

What do you mean?

Christopher

"Beginning of the end for Microsoft"...

I could just pinch your cheeks...


Tom Dacon
Dacon Software Consulting

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

That's true. But when a large company which uses one software product for so
long decides to switch to another, that turns heads. I think that this will
truly drive the Linux movement to the point where desktop users may start to
seriously consider Linux. Right now the end-user feels that Microsoft
Windows is the only choice since (1) it runs all of their software and (2)
the conception of Linux is that it is for geeks and therefore hard to use.

Just a thought.
Christopher

 

[Herfried K. Wagner [MVP]]

Here is the story from Linux.org:
http://www.linux.org/news/2004/10/05/0009.html

As always, very very weak "arguments". The existence of a huge number of
worms/... does not allow implications on the security of a system.

 

[Guest]

At the end of the day, linux is great - but the only real programming
language that's viable for it is C++ (yes, OK - there's mono, but the main
thing about .NET is building RAD applications, and that means intellisense,
wizards, etc. - it's the MS IDE that does it for windows development) - which
I'm sure we'd all have a much more fun time doing, but at the end of the day
people there are always going to be beencounters that want to see results in
Excel. They can on windows, so they'll not accept a system in which they
can't.
Corporate mass server systems and backends might benefit though, but most of
them probably don't scare Microsoft much, because they probably already do
use either unix or linux.

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

Security is not the only arguement here.

You also have costs (HUGE factor) and reliability. You can't argue much
there.

Christopher

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

At the end of the day, linux is great - but the only real programming
language that's viable for it is C++ (yes, OK - there's mono, but the main
thing about .NET is building RAD applications, and that means
intellisense,
wizards, etc. - it's the MS IDE that does it for windows development) -
which
I'm sure we'd all have a much more fun time doing, but at the end of the
day
people there are always going to be beencounters that want to see results
in
Excel. They can on windows, so they'll not accept a system in which they
can't.

With Codeweaver's Crossover that is no longer an argument. Besides,
Microsoft is just not doing anything innovating like what the Open Source
community are doing. Look at IE, that hasn't been truly updated since around
1999-2000. Also, the Windows OS seems to get a new security threat every
other day. Meanwhile, the distributions of Linux are constantly changing and
evolving. More and more people are realizing that you can have a system that
is tailored exactly to your needs as opposed to a generic operating system.

Corporate mass server systems and backends might benefit though, but most
of
them probably don't scare Microsoft much, because they probably already do
use either unix or linux.

That doesn't scare Microsoft, but the fact that AT&T and other organizations
are changing the FRONT-ENDs from their OS to Linux does! Everyday more and
more people are learning about Linux and switching over.

Christopher

 

[Ken Dopierala Jr.]

Hi Christopher,

Besides, Microsoft is just not doing anything innovating
like what the Open Source community are doing.

Can't you see the irony of typing something like that into a ".NET"
newsgroup? Lose your ignorance my friend, then you'll lose your fear. Good
luck! Ken.

 

[Cor Ligthert]

Ken,

Everybody got an answer from him except Jay and me should I be sad or happy?

Cor

 

[CJ Taylor]

Security is not the only arguement here.

You also have costs (HUGE factor) and reliability. You can't argue much
there.

Yes you can... Just becuase linux is open source and *free* to download
certainly doesn't mean its free to maintain.

Read up on VA Linux... There's a company that tried to go public with it...
failed...

Cost is still there, it just has a new name "maintenance agreement"

Christopher

 

[CJ Taylor]

Hi-ho-the linux-o a trolling we will go...

With Codeweaver's Crossover that is no longer an argument. Besides,
Microsoft is just not doing anything innovating like what the Open Source
community are doing. Look at IE, that hasn't been truly updated since around
1999-2000. Also, the Windows OS seems to get a new security threat every
other day. Meanwhile, the distributions of Linux are constantly changing and
evolving. More and more people are realizing that you can have a system that
is tailored exactly to your needs as opposed to a generic operating system.

That doesn't scare Microsoft, but the fact that AT&T and other organizations
are changing the FRONT-ENDs from their OS to Linux does! Everyday more and
more people are learning about Linux and switching over.

Christopher

 

[Jay B. Harlow [MVP - Outlook]]

Cor,
Personally I'm indifferent that Christopher did not respond, as I consider
the fact that AT&T is considering Linux desktops a non-issue.

Personally choosing Linux over Windows is akin to picking BMW over Mercedes
or picking Ford over Chevy or picking Honda over Toyota. In the end they
both get the job done, does it really matter?

Especially with projects such as Mono were you can run VB.NET applications
on Linux?

Just a thought
Jay

 

[Charlie Smith]

That doesn't scare Microsoft, but the fact that AT&T and other organizations

are changing the FRONT-ENDs from their OS to Linux does! Everyday more and
more people are learning about Linux and switching over.

Christopher,

You should read the whole article. Mr. Eslambolchi stated in the
later part of the article that he may not switch at all. Just because
someone is researching something doesn't make it a done deal.

I have researched Linux for several years now to see if it is viable
for my clients. As it exists today, it isn't. Maybe that will change
in the future, and maybe not, but the fact that I have been
researching the possibilities doesn't mean anything in itself.

Regards,
Oldcharlie

 

[Guest]

Just curious if all know who owns the patent on the FAT file system?
Microsoft of course. Second quesiton, what file system does Linux use? FAT
of course!

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

Linux doesn't use just the FAT file system, the OS can use ReiserFS, XFS,
NFS, and Ext 2 or 3. There are even more filesystems that Linux can use. The
only common reason people used Linux on the FAT file system was when people
wanted to dual boot with windows 95/98/Me without repartitioning.

Christopher

 

[Christopher Kurtis Koeber]

I just want to discuss the Linux operating system. I never meant to argue or
to offend anyone.

I don't understand why you have to say I am trolling, I consider that very
disrespectful.

If you didn't like my post you didn't have to respond.

Christopher