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Friday, February 02, 2007

Vista - Do you need it ?

Vista amiss ...



My colleagues and some friends have been saying how software drives the hardware.

I sometimes say that as por por computer scientists (haha programmers) we are subjected to the whims of the hardware makers.

Its really quite simple.

Morphology dictates the usability of the the product which in turn dictates the available technology for it before the power trickles down to the programmers via the APIs and other hacking endevours.

Of course few programmers reach that pinnacle, at least in Singapore ;)


Still this article is about Vista.


Now Vista is in a position to push hardware (I believe this only holds true in the PC industry and not IT in general ;) )

But only if market forces allow it.

Pundits will point to the ascend/trail of destruction by windows to show that windows with each version has necessitated ever more powerful machines. This was still acceptable IMHO as the GUI is indeed a need space for developement.


The rise of MSFT (MS stocks) is largely due to the release of Vista.

Vista was just released a few days ago, but the announcement and surerity of Vista's launch has been thick in the air for a few months.

Flash back to August last year and you will see that MSFT has risen from a 20-24 USD per share to about 30ish plus stock. Although this can be attributed to a general rise. Well the general rise is just that, a general rise ;) . For example, Sun's stocks are less attractive. Google being the other hyped up entity but lets leave that for another day (Google was 300plus at August last year, and now looking like it is going to punch through 500USD ... not bad, but is it a bubble?)


So yes going back to Vista, there is much hype, fanfare and anticipation to Vista's eminent coming.

FSF has already started a site to list out why Vista is eeevil. We all laugh about the dominance of MS, and yes we know Bill has done some good things, but at what cost? Lets just keep all things in perspective.

Now why the rant on this article. What is even the point of this article/rant?


The point is this.


Industry and pretty much anyone who wants MORE MONEY is going to WANT Vista to drive the hardware.

I.e its upgrade and replacement time.


The cartoon Robots come to mind =)


Can Vista drive the hardware?


Logic would say no.


Why?


Desktop computing has reached the point where there is little innovation to be made. In fact in almost all areas, Windows has been a laggard to Linux.

But we all know it is the cute macho guy or the pretty gal that gets priority in the continuation of the human species ;)

Same goes for most things when we deal with consumers.

By a single minded focus on attending to the consumer, the everyday computer idiot (now I am one too so no offence to anyone out there), MS has achieved an insurmountable lead over any other operating system out there... on the Desktop. Unfortunately thats where the mass attention is at and where the money is.

Everywere else. Security. Networking. Servers. No. The windows are broken. No windows baby. Most of the 'new' that Vista boasts of at the moment has been done before in open source. (That was also true of XP, but who cared right?)

But desktop is where the monies flow and unfortunately, in this broken world, cash is King. Society is lesser for it, but its the system we have. So yes, but cashing in on the Desktop, MS has been the most influential and powerful corporate (or for that matter any) entity that mankind has seen.


But I have always been a proponent that Open Source or rather FREE code (or at least the philosophy of it) will always win. Why?

Human history, has shown time and again that Mankind and God has detestated Arrogance and pride. Of EVERYONE. Except their own ;)


So yes Open Source will catch up with the desktop, and in recent times, the efficiency of Linux desktops have rivalled even those of Windows. The bell is tolling for XP and MS knows it.


Firefox. MySQL. Nessus. SNORT. APACHE. OpenOffice suite.


These are the chess pieces that have moved and been assimilated on XP, rendering it possible to have just an empty XP (and that is what you really get when you buy XP btw, of course you do not care, dear consumer, since your new darling is Vista =) ), and have EVERYTHING else FREE! It is almost checkmate with the crown as XP.

Try Ubuntu or Xubuntu. Heck try Ferdora. Linux installation has NEVER been easier. Like your service packs? Hey, there are graphical package managers ;)

Oh is it just the Linux crowd getting all dandy? No siree, you can also try PC BSD. It is even easier than Linux.

So is windows dying?

Logic says: "You betcha!"


So why the rant?

Because humans are not logical ;)


I talk to friends and they speak of an upgrade like it is a natural thing. Like getting a new TV.

And who can blame them?


We have been conditioned to do just that.


At least with the TV you can get a better view.


I recently saw a Dell advert in the newspaper.

it was advertising a 1000plus PC. 80 gig. 512 ram.

With FREE upgrade to Vista (home edition I think).

Think about this for a moment.

Vista on 512 is minimum. You know. Remember the time when you where poorer and wanted to run counterstrike on a budget computer? Yah, i bet you remembered ;P

So Vista crawls and you are forced to upgrade.

Is'nt that wonderful.


Have you EVER considered why you even need Vista?


Please people, think for a moment.


Sighz.



Thing is if you hard lucked out, and the reseller say "no can do" to a new XP install if you opted to do a free upgrade to a Vista; there is another option *gasp heaven forbid* - there is.... *drumroll* Xubuntu or Ferdora.

Those are two I personally recommend. My sis uses it fulltime now. i am still typing this on an XP ;) being the windows addict that I am.

The sad fact is that anyone out there wanting to use an XP like OS is likely to think that it is not possible, and that they HAVE to accept Vista.


And these are likely to be the most vunerable people. Sure the young adults who do not know they OSes from Ozzies have the money to burn. but it irks me when the older folk get cheated.

So whats the problem?

If an open source alternative is so great why not push it?

because.


As aways.


This is a broken world where cash is king.


There is no money (or at least not explicitly) in open source.


Though Libre not Gratis is key to the philosophy. Beer taste better than freedom to many. Like the bald headed guy in "The Matrix" - ignorance is bliss.

And no.


No entity out there with a vested interest in profits is going to push for the use of Linux as an alternative.



And open source and its proponents.


With its "all in good time" attitude, is unlikely to make use of this golden opportunity to push for a FREE desktop.

If anyone is reading this by now.

Please take the time to consider the possibility of using Linux or BSD as an alternative to Vista.

If you are entrenched in XP, well stick to it. You have already paid for it.

but if you have no need for Vista.

Why be a willing lamb to the slaughter?

In chinese, upgrading senselessly to Vista just because you think it is a natural progression of owning XP is akin to "yi2 cuo4 jai4 cuo4".


As always, and I have told that to people above me. Its not that open source will die, open source will always progress. It whether you want to join the party. Your choice. As always. As a consumer, collectively we decide how much control (yes control, did you really think Vista is just a desktop?) MS has over us, make your choice... if not wisely, at least with open eyes =)


At this juncture, this is a tipping point. Desktop innovation is at a low, and really all Vista has is hype and MS's marketing muscle.

Will you succumb?




[edit 070205]

Oki... so talk is cheap ;) so as a first step forward, if you need to install Linux, just drop me a post or email.

Probably give me a post first. I will install Linux for you =)

Note this offer is obviously only valid for people in Singapore.

Note that a successful install may not actually occur, since I may actually encourage you to keep on using the XP you bought ;)
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