In the context of the endof10 (endof10.org) campaign, we have created a new “for” page, this time “for Windows 10 exiles”:
In it we explain how Linux with Plasma can help users escape the deranged cycle of having to buy a new computer every time Microsoft force upgrades their operating system.
i like it.
and it’s full of good advice at the end to answer most of the commonly asked questions.
bit long maybe, and the pics are too big (not a fan of websites that make you scroll too much).
nice work tho.
this is the year [1]
of the linux desktop ↩︎
Do you know how can I point out translations problems in the endof10.org website? The italian translation is a bit missing.
You can go to the Matrix room:
and tell them there.
Thanks!
There seems to be a reluctance to point out a likely Microsoft marketing strategy. But to point it out, one needs the perspective of history. The following could be fiction, or fact. It could paint Microsoft as a hero, or villain. In the end, the following is an opinion, regardless of the language used.
In the beginning (circa 1975), IBM and other mainframe computers ruled via being the “central” computer system to which users logged into, and then when they logged off they were presented with a $xxxx amount of computing resources they used. This is called metering.
Metering is the most profitable business model because the money draw starts upon login, and includes all the learning mistakes, etc. Like a light switch, the power company starts charging immediately upon turning it on, and can change their rates at will … after all, where else are you going to get your home’s electricity? and How?
Enter Apple, who took over the education market by storm. There was not a single university that did not get apple because it stopped the money bleed of metering. Once you had the computer, you could use it without further costs (except electricity - I know bad example).
IBM realized it had lost the market, but it would take a while for the mainframe corpse to fall. And so created a similar non-metered computer called the IBM PC. The rest is history… until now.
Back then the Unix world had two graphic systems available for it, both had to be purchased. A few companies sprang up that made text based windowing systems.
Then Microsoft made the momentus marketing decision to become the dominant technology and distributed windows for free. It was intentionally released for free (a key of 1111111111…) and became the single most widely downloaded software via 1200, 2400, 9600 baud, etc modems and beyond. Finally it became the dominant technology that pushed everything else out of the market.
But windows then was still a non-reentrant interrupt handler and had its DOS memory limitations etc
IBM had Microsoft develop OS/2 without those limitiations, it was a far superior operating system. But IBM made the idiotic mistake of pricing it out of existence. In the day of the 2.5" stiffy disks, OS/2 came in a box with 24 of them. At the time there was also a shortage of disks. Companies were buying OS/2 for the disks.
At the trade shows Microsoft went to war with IBM. If you went anywhere near the Microsoft booth, the Microsoft development assault force would run up to you with a six-foot high stack of compilers and development materials .. "Here… you look like you might want to program applications for MS Windows … take it.
Meanwhile, at the IBM booth, IBM wanted identification, company financials and an applications for an OS/2 development kit form filled out in triplicate. In retrospect that made sense since what was driving OS/2 demand was the stiffy disk shortage.
But Microsoft strategy worked and, after pulling the OS/2 version of MS Excel from the market, OS/2 was relegated to history.
This was the beginning of the Microsofts development of its “Support, Acquire, Extinguish” strategy for its competition.
NOW to the present.
Microsoft is now the supreme dominant technology. It is a corporation that by law is a psychopath. Corporate law says that a corporation can do no wrong as long as it is increasing profits - read that: as long as the legal penalties for its acts are simply a cost of doing business (a tax) in acquiring more profits. The executives may go to jails, but that is acceptable under corporate law.
NOW Microsoft wants to go back to the metering system, where the moment you turn on your computer, you are identified and the money drain to microsoft starts.
Now you have a plausible explanation of why Microsoft is taking the actions it does.
Watch Ubuntu carefully to see if you can see any evidence of the “Support, Acquire, Extinguish” strategy in play.