Linux/FOSS has its strategic advantages and its disadvange in the 
marketplace. Success lies in leveraging one's advantages while at the 
same time exploiting the weaknesses of one's opponents.

The weaknesses of Microsoft are that they are monopolistic, money-hungry 
thugs and are percieved as such by many consumers, their software is 
pricey, it crashes a lot, and it is difficult to figure out why when it 
does crash. MicroSoft just released no less than 20 security patches for 
their products. Linux hasn't, and doesn't need to.

Linux's weaknesses are that it is perceived as being a "Geek" OS with a 
steep learning curve, and it lacks compatibility with some proprietary 
formats. Additionally, Linux is severely undercapitalized when compared 
with Microsoft.

Linux can compete successfully with Microsoft on the basis that it feels 
better to support Mandrake or SuSE, or Debian, than it does to further 
subsidize the Tyrant of Redmond. It can compete successfully with 
MicroSoft on the basis that it is not Virus Central.  It can compete 
based on price. Linux needs to overcome the perception that it is 
difficult to use (it is not!) and more work needs to be done to 
accomodate proprietary file formats and ACPI.

My 2 cents, anyway.

Lee


Derek Neighbors wrote:

>Phil Mattison said:
>  
>
>>projects. Linux/FOSS can't beat Microsoft in the consumer market
>>for the same reason a guy with a knife can't beat a guy with a gun.
>>    
>>
>
>Sadly our government felt the same way about our military proweress in
>Vietnam.  Their "knives" couldnt beat our "guns".  The situation in Iraq
>is looking similar.
>
>Point.  A fight between a man with a gun and a man with a knife has as
>much to do with the men in the fight as does it the weapons.  The man with
>the gun may have the advantage, but that surely doesn't guarantee them
>victory.
>
>-Derek
>
>
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-- 


Lee Einer
Dos Manos Jewelry
http://www.dosmanosjewelry.com



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