On Fri, Jul 28, 2000 at 06:30:33AM +0100, Simon Rainey wrote:
The following comments are my own and do not reflect the opinions of RM.
I hope you don't mind me asking, but do RM offer any linux services for schools eg. a router/proxy server or even mail server? You'd think it would save a lot of money for schools as they wouldnt have to buy ntmail or MS Proxy Server.
Or maybe even (radical idea) schools could save money *and* RM could make more money.
OK, you've got a developer base of several hundred programmers who eat, drink and sleep Microsoft class libraries, Visual C++, Visual Basic and Developer Studio. They know NT inside out but can't tell sed from awk and think vi is probably a character from Deep Space Nine. On top of that the Microsoft marketing behemoth is going into overdrive to promote Win2k *and* to belittle Linux along the way. With Microsoft intent on polarising the market you need to back Win2k or Linux. You can't do both - it's too expensive - and besides, your established user base won't appreciate an apparent change of direction.
I understand your company's position but I'd say it is backing the wrong horse. Sooner or later an integrated software solution for schools based on OS and linux will be developed and as with all these things it's best to lead rather than follow.
You've been selling them NT for years and now you want them to change to Linux? And all the while your investors are keeping a close eye on your performance against predictions made up to a year ago. Overspend without a convincing story and your share price will plummet. It's a tough call.
It is a tough call but they'd be in good company if they did go for linux in a big way eg IBM.
All I can say is that RM does listen. If enough users make serious noises about Linux to their account managers then things may well change. Otherwise NT is here to stay.
Users are making do with what they are given, they are not going to get on the 'phone to RM and tell them that they've seen the light, RM will find out after they've jumped ship to a cheaper and better alternative.
I never did get the point about the ongoing OS wars and Microsoft bashing. I'm no great Microsoft fan but it's a free country and there are alternatives.
I think things have moved on beyond religious wars, it's now a question of economic necessity. It is no longer possible to make an economic case for using NT/W2K when you can have a Linux box doing the same job for less money - this isn't just me saying it, it's being demonstrated by the customers voting with their feet and the corresponding `sales' of linux v W2K. <snip>
No-one is forced to buy what Microsoft or RM has to offer (at least not now the Windows OEM licensing issue has been sorted out). Becta can only make recommendations. If you think there are better solutions then fine - go and use them.
When certain companies are putting pressure on Becta and other arms of government not to `promote' alternatives and when those companies have considerable economic muscle, the question of choice is somewhat moot.
I know I'd feel very nervous if I was told to replace our Linux systems with NT. I think what is needed is a tried and tested migration path that will allow the two platforms to coexist on the same network. Then a network manager can gain experience of Linux without fear of screwing up the more critical parts of an existing network.
From reading this list, I think school network managers are beginning to do that ie. get a linux box in to do mail, then samba, maybe Apache.....the two platforms do co-exist very amicably.
<snip>
But ok to endorse the use of Windows...
Let's face it, like it or not Microsoft has got the desktop market sewn up. At the end of the day computers have to be useful. You decide what apps you want to run and then buy the hardware and OS that those apps will run on. Windows has the largest range of apps of any OS, which makes it the natural OS of choice no matter how much better Unix is technically. It is supported almost universally so no matter what piece of software or PC hardware you buy, chances are it will run under Windows. And because Windows is pre-installed with most PCs the cost is hidden and the system is ready to run right out of the box. Basically, Windows is the *safest* choice even if it's not the cheapest or the most robust.
Yes, MS have presently got the desktop sewn up but they're coming under pressure from above and below - linux on the server and linux embedded. For your company (and others) to persist with Microsoft products makes about as much sense as the recording industry trying to stop napster/mp3s - in the long run it will be a sure fire loser.
Regards, Simon.
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