Microsoft Badmouths Linux In Sales Campaign

As previously mentioned, I subscribe to a number of newsletters and RSS feeds. The latter is a far more flexible medium in that it doesn't take up any mailbox space or resources and is usually the latest scoop on just about anything out there.

Since the inception of Microsoft's campaign to introduce Windows 7 to the masses, the Seattle Software giant has upped its efforts since the deadline for the official release draws ever nearer. Apparently, the latest effort consists of M$ developing its 'ExpertZone' "training courses".

It provides the candidates with "facts", consisting of a series of claims about how Windows 7 compares to Linux or Apple, followed by a "quiz" that tells retail employees that their answers are "incorrect" if they don't parrot back the rote points. How medieval.

The latest blurb is about how this 'training' campaign is affecting Best Buy employees and how they are offered an incentive in the form of a voucher that allows them to buy Windows 7 for $10 after they finish the course. Of course, not all Best Buy employees are mindless Windows Weenies and one of them exposed this FUD campaign on an anonymous blog. I guess the poor guy was stuck with a mound of bills and needed the job.

Anyway, the point is that nowadays folks are just a little more educated than the Redmond Ratpack has anticipated and will exercise a choice if offered. One of the claims of the "ExpertZone" course is that Linux is woefully behind in hardware compatibility. Well, at one time this was true but lately gains have been made in leaps and bounds as manufacturers are coming around to composing Linux drivers or allowing the Linux developers access to their resources to develop them for Open Source.

The latest Linux kernel has support for the USB 3.0 technology, something that neither Windows or Mac has even considered so far. Of course, these "ExpertZone" courses fail to mention the hardware compatibility issues that Vista had, and still in some cases, has with certain peripherals. Windows 7 is experiencing some difficulties in handling certain hardware demands but I imagine that this is just a situation of catch up for the manufacturers as they examine and develop the appropriate drivers for this new OS.

 
Personally, I can't wait to upgrade my hardware a bit and replace my trusty XP to Win7. I've seen it and had limited experience with it but from what I've seen, it's a winner. Since Windows is a component of modern day computing, one may as well have a Windows system around for reference and I'm ready to give up my trusty XP OS for this new venture. At least Win7 shows a lot more effort in its development than the Vista effort. I can imagine that Vista will be referred to as the "ME" of the 21st century.

What? Has he gone bonkers, you ask? No, I still prefer to spend the greater majority of my computing time and effort in my beloved Linux but will visit the 'other side' once in a while to see what's new and to provide more ammunition for me to bitch about, plus in my work I need the Windows platform as many, no, all of my clients are Windows users. I never get any calls from Linux people. Hmmm, does that tell you something?

~A~
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Why It's Nice To Have An Alternate OS

This graphic symbolizes that Linux isn't just a hobbyist's pursuit anymore. It's a serious OS & even Uncle Bill has offered some code - gratis - to be included into the newest kernel package. It has to do with various drivers & other such M$ mysterioso stuff so that Linux will have an easier time in dealing with upcoming "improvements" planned by the Big 'M'.

Thanks Bill, but although the offer is appreciated, you do understand that the code will be ripped to pieces, analyzed to death and then reassembled to fit the Linux scheme, doncha?
 

After my frustrating sojourn with my recent XP re-install, I retreated to my Linux partition to rest my mind & play with an OS that does what I want it to do, when I want it and how I want it without annoying error messages. If something goes wrong - rarely - the app either freezes which is simply killed by a basic command or it simply disappears. I then check out a system log which tells me - in Plain English! - what went wrong and then fix it. Or if I need a new app, I just fire up my Synaptic Software Manager - the graphical version of Debian's vaunted software retrieval system that takes care of any dependencies automatically - smooth! - & retrieve & install what I want in a relatively short time - no Vendors or nag ads to worry about.

Right now, there isn't much that isn't available in apps that Windoze has that doesn't have its equivalent in Linux. With Ultra-GUI distros like Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Linux Mint & a host of others, it's easy for a Windows person to convert to the Legion of The Penguin. The aformentioned are all designed for Windows people who are helpless when in comes to handling the Command Line - Typing? Ugh! Syntax? Ugh!

  Being an old fart who was brought up on DOS - Do some of you even remember DOS? - and having my first computer experience with UNIX, I obviously favour the CLI (Command Line Interface) which is a lot more powerful in getting what you want. Hey! Even when I was in MCSE school, much of the administration of the various WinServers was done via CLI, much to the chagrin of my classmates.

Anyway, that's my rant on why I prefer Linux over 'doze. I just find it so much easier to deal with. 

~A~
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