Ron Schenone

Will Windows 7 Open The Door For More Linux Boxes?

Posted by on Apr 6, 2009 | 17 Comments

Mark Shuttlesworth, who is the father of Ubuntu, is making some claims as to why Linux is going to make in roads into the Windows market. He feels that netbooks is going to be where Linux starts to gain ground on Windows and will become a real threat. He also claims that his new release of Unbuntu called ‘ Jaunty Jackalope’ is going to be great and easier to use.

In a recent interview, Mark Shuttleworth stated that:

Shuttleworth said that Windows 7 creates a level playing field where we’ll be competing with a new version of Windows.

This means that Linux can say, “look you are going to have to buy new software, why pay for it?”

Then he starts to get a bit silly saying that the next billion PC users won’t be as interested in compatibility with Microsoft Office as they are in connecting to Twitter and staying connected to their social network through the Web.

Twitter? Office? He would have been better off saying that OpenOffice now does what Volish Office does so, why pay for it?

He also fails to notice that on the netbook space Linux is more likely to be competing against Androidn, which is also free.

Interesting observation. Or is it wishful thinking? It does appear that Microsoft has a real fear of Linux. Their market share of computer systems running Windows has slipped to 88% according to some reports. This could be attributed to the inexpensive netbooks that currently operate using Linux. 

What do you think?

Comments welcome.

Source.

  • Jeff

    I use linux on all but my desktop. My desktop just needs a compatible wireless card. I can do anything I want inside of it, and I use Wine to run windows only apps I still want.

    For the most part, windows is becoming bloatware, and with it the views of using linux instead grows. Personally, I don’t see a reason to pay up to (and in some cases more then) 300 dollars for an OS when I can get it free. Superficial needs like Microsoft office are mostly ironed in peoples heads. Most workers use office for excell and word. those 2 in open office are great.

    i don’t mean to ride the linux bandwagon too much, but I honestly believe its a way to save people money, especially considering what computers cost compared to what they could cost.

  • Kanaye

    I do believe that this “netbook” market and the explosion that it went through has significantly damaged Windows’ market share, what with the majority of them not running Microsoft’s latest cash cow, Vista. One of the reasons why Win 7 is trying to get to run in these type of computers just fine.

    Not much I can support on the Linux issue, since I’m not that well informed on it.

  • http://www.twitter.com/dsabecky Dustin Sabecky

    Android is based off of Linux. Therefore your last bullet makes you look like an idiot. Just because it’s not Ubuntu doesn’t mean it’s not Linux.

  • wait what?

    I thought Shuttleworth was one of the more normal Linux geeks. Does he really refer to himself in the third person?

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  • http://www.bufferoverflow.net Jabbawookie

    I think that (in north america at least) there may be an increasing shift towards Linux. I don’t think that it will dominate the market, but it’ll take good sized bite out of Microsoft’s share. I think Microsoft is worried a little more than they’re willing to admit.

  • Curt Schulz

    I agree that Linux, especially Ubuntu with it’s hardware compatibility and ease of use, is a real threat to Microsoft. Microsoft has overcharged for years for everything they could think of licensing. They are rarely innovative nor are they very adept at at projecting market wants and needs.
    The open source community is and hopefully will continue to be, a growing dynamic resource of intellectual solution providers that just want to get a task accomplished without concern for profit viability. It is for the good of all, and we all benefit from each other’s labor.
    It will indeed be interesting to see how many people will finally begin the exodus from Microsoft!

  • http://stevesramblings.com/blog Steve

    Linux isn’t competing with Android… Gnome or KDE are competing with Android… But Android itself runs on top of Linux in the same way the GUI in OSX runs on top of Darwin.

    Android on cellphones and Netbooks is still a win for Linux, even if the branding is different and the users never know whats underneath.

    The whole Windows vs Linux meme has gotten old. Windows is losing market share daily. It doesn’t matter much which OS is picking up those users. Diversity is what is important. For the same reason you don’t run 2 of the same brand/version firewalls on your network.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Dustin,
    That is a quote from the original article. Who’s the idiot now?

    Everyone else, thanks for the comments.

  • http://www.dlb1752.tv David B.

    (disclaimer: I have never really used Linux). From talking with others in the IT field, and from what I know, Linux has mainly limited itself to “geeks”, there are not many common end users running Linux. I am all for Linux giving Windows a run for its money, but it will need to do some marketing and possible GUI enhancements.

  • Bob D

    Windows 7 by itself wnn’t create much of an opportunity for Linux, as 7 runs better than Vista on low end hardware., but Microsoft’s decision to offer the crippled “Starter Edition”, which can run only 3 apps at once, to netbook manufacturers, is going to be a MAJOR PR disaster, and will certainly help Linux, as well as the rumored Mac OS X and Android netbooks.

  • John Kemp

    over the past 5 years I’ve adventured several times into the world of linux (Red Hat, SuSE, Mandrake, Fedora and openSuSE) and as of 2 months ago switched to Ubuntu 8.10 as my full-time OS. The initial switch can seem daunting at first, but IMO all the FUD that accompanies Linux in the minds of the average end user is mainly hype, perpetuated by Microsoft its PR ppl. Give it an honest effort. Linux is more usable now than ever before.

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  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    David B.,
    Give Kubuntu a try. I find the GUI most like Windows with this edition. There is no need to install Linux since you can run it directly from the CD. If you don’t have broadband order a free CD.

    Bob D.,
    Good point about the Starter Edition and its limitations.

    John Kemp.
    I believe we will see many new Linux users when they purchase new Netbooks. As stated above. Windows 7 Starter Edition may be a PR flop.

  • Bobzilla

    Linux will not replace Windows because of fear, uncertainty, and doubt among user…. not that Microsoft is pushing FUD, it’s just a fact of life. Linux will continue to take market share from Windows, simply because it is a better, more stable, virus / malware resistance operating system. It will take time, but as more and more OEMs pre-load Linux, users will see all the advantages of Linux over Windows.

    Linux is the real deal!

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  • http://www.jkstech.com Keith Stoneberger

    Microsoft sales are down due to the EU. I have used linux and I do like it, but I been with windows so long I have not quite make the change. I think once the linux platform gets to be more user friendly, I can see the migration to the free software double.