On Saturday 15 June 2002 22:39, peter banks wrote: Here's where I have to jump in with my 2 cents. AFAIK, there isn't really any real good support that comes to Microsoft for OEMS. The "kits" that OEM's are given are riddled with more configuration options than most entire Linux distros, And even a simple thing like performing an auto-installation takes a long time of research and so forth, and to boot you only get the options that Microsoft hands you (personal experience: On servers, I have to run scripts that create the autoinstall INFS because the "partial unattended" install doesn't give any option for something as important as IP address assignment".). And for an OEM, this means having techs out there that are profiecent with all of this to create an OEM-specific WIndows installation. This knowledge is _easily_ portable to Linux. And also remember, these kits aren't cheap: MS charges an arm and a leg for them. For the cost of kits, you could almost hire a contractor who knows how to build the Linux scripts; the documentation is in the distro or online for just about everything. In fact, last I heard Caldera is setting up support programs that companies can suscribe to that will support _any_ major distro of Linux. Pretty impressive. The only thing that needs to happen is for OEM's to consider Linux profitable for packaging with systems. The DOJ case will be a part of that because it stops Microsoft from being able to strong-arm OEMS into running just Windows. The other thing I think will come when Linux has strong market share in the server market, when the reality of making money off Linux becomes apparent. Once that happens, I think that OEMS will be taking a real hard look at the costs required to pack Linux with a desktop. When that happens, M$ beware! Thanks Donavan Pantke
The issue here is not the support Level of Os Distribution. The issue here is what does it take to make Linux more than "an also ran". Sure, For us Geeks, Linux is Fun! figuring out a problem is quite for filling. But that is different than using it for my Desktop where I have to do real work and send out resumes in a format that recruiters will be able to read. In order for Linux to take over the Desktop, Linux OS distributions are going to have develop the same level of support expertise that Microsoft has developed within the OEM / IT / support communities. I really don't see this happening in the Linux Community. I do however, see Linux as a real neat niche market doing the type things people used to buy Suns and HPUX machine.
Just my two cents worth pab