There is a New OS in town
Back around Jan of this year, I read a interesting article in a E-Weekly mag. It claimed that WalMart was getting into the Computer Desktop business. They had apparently inked a deal with Sun Mircosystems to put a Java OS onto their computers. The cost for them: 460 Million. This would put the largest Big Box store in the world into a field where they have only dabbled in, and give a big boost to the Sun Microsystems attempt to topple software giant Microsoft.
Here is the link to the product category from Sun Micro: http://wwws.sun.com/software/javadesktopsystem/
Basically, they are offering a cheap alternative to two of Microsoft's Main Platform systems, Windows and Office. The link above is for the Professional catch. The business adavantage for consumers that are tired of playing Microsoft's money scheme game.
http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4795848/ This is the article that will directly link you to the news article about the inclusion of the Desktop 2, and the link to the Walmart page.
Pudits and fans alike have had a strong liking for this Linux-based OS, contenting that it is simple, straight, and to the point. While the GNOME desktop Linux package has been in developement pretty much since Linux has come into fruitation, that is no surprise. GNOME, like every other packaged X-Windows type GUI gets more and more like Windows everyday. So, it is not surprising that people would compare it to Windows and to the ease of using it. Basically, it IS Windows with some features that Windows doesn't have.
I'm not here to pick apart the lack of features, or the over-whelming Microsoft market, my concern is the backlash. While Microsoft is the giant of this particular area, will it withstand the competition from a rival OS? This isn't like the MAC O/S X, where there are jsut different computers. This is on their turf.
It also worries me that there would end up being a lack of support out there for people that purchase this OS if it failed to make the dent in the market that it is looking for.
" We don't have any concern about rival operating systems, knowing that we here at Microsoft have committed to bringing out a product that people can use, and love. All the best of luck to Sun," Steven Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft was quoted at a Developer's Conference.
But are they sweating?
With the position that Windows XP put Microsoft in leaves many to question. While the Windows XP operating system was a better release than Windows Millenium, it has had it's share of hardships, including the hundreds of attacks that the operating system itself takes from virus in the W32 category.
I think that the low cost computers that Walmart are pushing out will decide the factor. In this day and age, with the Dell selling tastics of cheap computers and horrible warrenties, it will be interesting to see how many people will buy the system and throw away the OS. I don't think it is a matter of Sun over Microsoft, or vise versa, but rather the fact that the systems themselves come so cheap. But, then again, you get waht you pay for. Under the creator of Linux inventor, the kernal coding of the OS must remain freeware, so the extra development is what people would pay for, but well under the 200+ price tag that comes with Windows XP.
Many people in the past have picked inexpensive over quality in the past, people. That is why we have VHS, not Beta.