Topic: Linux Will Kill Windows, Says Former Microsoftie

[Samker]

It's not only long-time Linux true believers who say that Linux will eventually wipe out Windows. An former Microsoft employee of 11 years says that "proprietary software is eventually going to be doomed," and believes that Microsoft's future lies in releasing its own version of Linux.

Keith Curtis, former Microsoft Research employee and author of After the Software Wars, told an interviewer for Network World in a podcast that "I do believe that proprietary software is eventually going to be doomed.": http://www.lulu.com/content/4964815

His reasoning in the interview isn't exactly clear, and he doesn't go into details about how he believes open source software will kill off Windows. Essentially, he believes that there's an inevitability to the concept of free, which will ultimately overwhelm for-pay software. He says that right now many people "think free software is a house of cards," and that needs to change before open source will become dominant. He admits, though, "I don't know entirely how it will play out."

As for how Microsoft can survive if free software dominates, he believes the company should release its own version of Linux, saying:

"I think we could all be running Microsoft Linux...I sent an e-mail to Steve Ballmer about this and he said he wasn't interested...Microsoft could very easily dominate the Linux market if they wanted to."

He also claims that technology will progress more quickly using free software than proprietary software. He writes in his book:

"The key to faster technological progress is making software free. The difference between free, and non-free or proprietary software, is similar to the divide between science and alchemy. Before science, there was alchemy, where people guarded their ideas because they wanted to corner the market on the mechanisms used to convert lead into gold."

I agree with very little of what Curtis says. Just because something is free does not inevitably mean that it is superior to something that you pay for --- often it's the exact opposite. And I also don't agree that making things free is always the proper engine for technological growth. Frequently, the profit motive drives technology breakthroughs.

Still, the podcast is well worth a listen, whether you're a fan of Linux or Windows.

(PCW)

[F3RL]

interesting, maybe that's what is going to happen in next few decades..

[krrjhn]

interesting, maybe that's what is going to happen in next few decades..

I agree !!!!!!!!!

[mandikipeh]

great... linux big and biger soon 

[devnullius]

Nice thought, but never gonna happen.

SSD tech made NTFS a viable filesystem once more. And more importantly: too much software is exe format, not a.out (or whatever Lilnux uses these days ;p).

So while I am charmed by the idea that Windows one day will be free of charge (see Mac OS), for now I do *not* see that happen any time soon.

Just my thoughts ;p

Devvie

[neerajrawat1]

hmmmm

[neerajrawat1]

They are working on it so expect a distro by the end of next year. Better start learning it to stay tunes with technology.

[mikey]

Hey guys, long time no see.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update breaks most webcams
Ref; http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/windows-10-anniversary-update-breaks-most-webcams/

I'm so glad that Microsux doesn't own my gear anymore. IMO The best part of the article is on pg 2 after he asks; "How do you know what to test when you don't know what's new?" He also tells of a possible workaround for the webcam issue in the last paragraph.

BTW As related to the question I quoted, here's a refresher on recent MS policies; https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2016/08/windows-10-microsoft-blatantly-disregards-user-choice-and-privacy-deep-dive

Anyway, I've been strictly nix for more than 3yrs now. The only way I touch MS products now is remotely.

[Samker]

Hey guys, long time no see.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update breaks most webcams
Ref; http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/windows-10-anniversary-update-breaks-most-webcams/

---

Hi Pal, good to see you again on SCforum.

Thank you very much for the heads-up about "Anniversary Update"... also hope We'll see you more often on the board.

All The Best,

S.

[bigfootangel]

I would like this news was actually true in a short time, but I think, unfortunately, the supremacy of Windows will continue for a long time ...