Is the Evil Empire cracking? Linux uber allis - GoFuckYourself.com

Probono · 05-29-2003, 11:52 AM

Microsoft Loses City of Munich Deal to Linux
Wed May 28,12:38 PM ET

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By Hans Nagl

MUNICH (Reuters) - The city of Munich said on Wednesday it would switch 14,000 computers from Microsoft's Windows operating system to rival Linux (news - web sites) in a deal estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros.

The decision is a blow to U.S. giant Microsoft, whose chief executive Steve Ballmer had personally campaigned for Microsoft's counter-offer to the city, based on Windows XP (news - web sites).

Microsoft has created two funds to discount its products against the emerging Linux software, which is eating into its most profitable business.

"This strategic decision makes Munich less dependent on one IT supplier and sets a trend toward more competition," Munich mayor Christian Ude said in a statement.

Analysts said Munich's decision to choose open source software, which means Linux, was a breakthrough.

"It is one of the largest desktop migrations to Linux ever seen," said Gartner Dataquest analyst Nikos Drakos in London.

Linux suppliers welcomed the move by of one of Germany's largest cities, where many of the country's biggest corporations have their headquarters.

"You can compare this to the fall of the Berlin Wall," said Richard Seibt, Chief Executive of Linux software provider Suse. Suse is bidding for the Linux contract together with International Business Machines Corp.

Linux is considered by many to be the only big rival to Microsoft's Windows and can already be found on 15 percent of all computers sold in Western Europe.

A Microsoft spokesman in Munich said his company was still at hand if the city found that certain units could not switch over to Linux. "Some applications do not run on Linux," he said.

LINUX GROWING IN GERMANY

The Munich decision comes as the German government is installing Linux throughout certain ministries and public institutions.

In the northern state of Lower Saxony, 11,000 police computers will be switched from Microsoft Windows to Linux from next year, according to the interior ministry.

Companies and governments are increasingly opting for Linux, written by Linus Torvalds (news - web sites) and further developed on the Web with the help of thousands of volunteer programmers, because it is a stable software and not controlled by just one company.

Hundreds of companies distribute the software, charging little or nothing for the core software, but taking fees on modifications, services and maintenance.

IBM and Suse declined to give the value of the bids for their Linux offerings.

Media have reported that Microsoft's offer of about 27.3 million euros ($32.3 million) had been almost three million euros below that of the Linux competitor, but the city had still chosen Linux for strategic reasons.

Microsoft confirmed it had offered discounts for the total project, but declined to give details.

SexySarah · 05-29-2003, 01:11 PM

This is very interesting.

Read it you ignorant fucks.

Regards,

SexySarah

nap · 05-29-2003, 01:28 PM

will 14,000 computers being switched over to linux really going to hurt ms? and 15% of all comp's sold in western union have linux already, well whats the % of users in western union on macs? its just competition, not the fall of anything

Libertine · 05-29-2003, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nap
will 14,000 computers being switched over to linux really going to hurt ms? and 15% of all comp's sold in western union have linux already, well whats the % of users in western union on macs? its just competition, not the fall of anything

The business model ms currently uses is based on a near-monopoly. If they lose that, they will fall rapidly and severely.

Right now, there are 4 main factors keeping the general public from using linux:
- not enough software (many popular things don't run on it easily)
- too complicated
- windows comes with the computer
- people are used to windows

However, if linux becomes more popular, more software will be developed for it (linux-versions of photoshop and dreamweaver, for instance) and people will get used to it (especially if it's what they use at work). In that case, it won't be as normal to sell windows along with the computer, and what is already happening now (linux getting easier to use) will happen even faster.

So, more popularity for linux is extremely dangerous for microsoft.

05-29-2003, 11:52 AM	#1
Probono Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Under the Rainbow Posts: 2,731	Is the Evil Empire cracking? Linux uber allis Microsoft Loses City of Munich Deal to Linux Wed May 28,12:38 PM ET Add Technology - Reuters to My Yahoo! By Hans Nagl MUNICH (Reuters) - The city of Munich said on Wednesday it would switch 14,000 computers from Microsoft's Windows operating system to rival Linux (news - web sites) in a deal estimated to be worth tens of millions of euros. The decision is a blow to U.S. giant Microsoft, whose chief executive Steve Ballmer had personally campaigned for Microsoft's counter-offer to the city, based on Windows XP (news - web sites). Microsoft has created two funds to discount its products against the emerging Linux software, which is eating into its most profitable business. "This strategic decision makes Munich less dependent on one IT supplier and sets a trend toward more competition," Munich mayor Christian Ude said in a statement. Analysts said Munich's decision to choose open source software, which means Linux, was a breakthrough. "It is one of the largest desktop migrations to Linux ever seen," said Gartner Dataquest analyst Nikos Drakos in London. Linux suppliers welcomed the move by of one of Germany's largest cities, where many of the country's biggest corporations have their headquarters. "You can compare this to the fall of the Berlin Wall," said Richard Seibt, Chief Executive of Linux software provider Suse. Suse is bidding for the Linux contract together with International Business Machines Corp. Linux is considered by many to be the only big rival to Microsoft's Windows and can already be found on 15 percent of all computers sold in Western Europe. A Microsoft spokesman in Munich said his company was still at hand if the city found that certain units could not switch over to Linux. "Some applications do not run on Linux," he said. LINUX GROWING IN GERMANY The Munich decision comes as the German government is installing Linux throughout certain ministries and public institutions. In the northern state of Lower Saxony, 11,000 police computers will be switched from Microsoft Windows to Linux from next year, according to the interior ministry. Companies and governments are increasingly opting for Linux, written by Linus Torvalds (news - web sites) and further developed on the Web with the help of thousands of volunteer programmers, because it is a stable software and not controlled by just one company. Hundreds of companies distribute the software, charging little or nothing for the core software, but taking fees on modifications, services and maintenance. IBM and Suse declined to give the value of the bids for their Linux offerings. Media have reported that Microsoft's offer of about 27.3 million euros ($32.3 million) had been almost three million euros below that of the Linux competitor, but the city had still chosen Linux for strategic reasons. Microsoft confirmed it had offered discounts for the total project, but declined to give details.

05-29-2003, 01:11 PM	#2
SexySarah So Fucking Banned Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 1,076	This is very interesting. Read it you ignorant fucks. Regards, SexySarah

05-29-2003, 01:28 PM	#3
nap Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: midwest Posts: 2,765	will 14,000 computers being switched over to linux really going to hurt ms? and 15% of all comp's sold in western union have linux already, well whats the % of users in western union on macs? its just competition, not the fall of anything