[PLUG] Article in Linux Today about M$ kill UNIX at Universities..

[David Sierkowski]

I think this problem has nothing to do (well, not much) with the university. If
you were to assume that the university is going to be a key element in
destroying interest in Linux/*NIX I believe you forgot to look at the other
environments that a computer is truly uselful for. 

Looking at a "business" (said loosely) one might find those Wintel PCs taking
over everything because it is *familiar* to pretty much everyone. (A standard
if you will) Same with school. 

Right now, there is no reason or *real* reason to switch from the current
computing environment to a drastically different one. That, I believe is the
greatest obstacle for Linux/*NIX/BeOS to overcome. What can we honestly offer
that Microsoft doesn't? 

	Stability? No, remember, one of the big points Microsoft is quick to
point out is that with free software, there is no one to sue when something
goes wrong. But we all know what kind of joke the EULA is, and how all our
rights and money go down the drain the moment we install their "supported"
software. So they win in the consumers eyes. Why? Good PR. That's all.
	Price? Hahahahaha. Windows comes "Free" with your computer. Sometimes
Office does too. And if not, then you can go to the Union and buy it for $5.
=[  Sure we can offer free software, but it's not supported, now is it? (See
#1.)
	Speed?  - (Space left intentionally blank)
             Compatibility? People see the name "Microsoft" and think: "Hey,
that's compatible with what I have!" only to find out its not. But, if enough
customers complain, a Service Pack might fix the "incompatibility" But I don't
know why, but people just accept this as normal. Which then adds to this sort
of comfort that WinTel introduces.  I haven't met a Windows user who doesn't
accept such things as normal. 

So what it boils down to is that one doesn't become familiar with a computer
itself, but with the crappy Microsoft/Intel "standardization." Which is what
makes people like us different. =] 

I really think that until we can offer more than what Microsoft has to offer,
the desktop will belong to them. But for now, NT can stay far, far away
from the server arena. Oh, that's right. NT puts the SS in SSINFO. =] 

WAY TO GO PURDUE! 

After all, they aren't selling NT server in the union, are they? =]  

David Sierkowski
calx 
http://dart.dhs.org