Will Microsoft Kill Linux?
I read a mildly interesting article today in which the author outlines a scenario in which he believes Microsoft can kill off Linux. I think the scenario has many, many holes, but it was a short article and was worth the read. His basic argument is that Microsoft could isolate its hardware drivers and use these drivers as a properitary add-on to Linux. At that point, one of the major weakenesses of Linux (its hardware support) would theoretically be eliminated, and Linux would be begin to be widely adopted (for desktop use and otherwise). As open source programmers realized they were donating their time to help Microsoft reap profits, they would turn away and work on some other open source project with which Microsoft was not involved. Linux would become stagnant and die off as time passed.
Sound like a crock? Well, I think it is. First, Microsoft wants to pretend Linux doesn't even exist. If I'm not the only game in town, do you think I want everyone to know that? Absolutely not. I will continue to make customers believe they have only two options: they either buy my stuff or they don't use a computer. Microsoft even mentioning the fact that they plan to devote resources to Linux would be to plant the idea in people's heads that Linux is somehow a viable desktop offering. (And, surprise surprise, it is!)
Second, why would Microsoft bank its operating system profits on a driver layer attached to Linux? If the combined Microsoft-Linux OS is the Godsend of computing the author makes it out to be, people would be switching from Windows in droves. Do you think Microsoft wants to turn its back on selling tons of people a whole damn operating system so it can sell tons of people one small part of an operating system? No. They would rather sell the whole thing.
Third, more and more hardware vendors are writing custom drivers for Linux today. The tools to use Windows drivers on Linux systems are steadily improving, and the amount of hardware not usable on Linux dwindles annually. The more time passes, the less of a value-add a Microsoft driver layer would be for Linux. And Microsoft wouldn't be adding this driver layer any time soon.
Like I said, the article was mildly interesting but extremely far-fetched. Good material to kill ten minutes though.
3 Comments:
You may not have seen it, but I think Slashdot linked an article that was written from the standpoint of a Linus Torvalds employed by Microsoft 15 years from now. Or something like that. It was very interesting and also made some good points (with holes) about Microsoft embracing Linux. If it was indeed posted on Slashdot, it was within the last month, I think. Anyway, it is another interesting read.
Your story of the Slashdot link reminds me of a quick two-page article I read in the most recent issue of Wired magazine. It is a memo, written in the future (maybe two or three years) by Linux Torvalds after he was hired by Microsoft. In it, Mr. Torvalds tried to explain to Bill Gates about his (Torvalds') philosophical disagreements with Stevel Ballmer. It was a very well done piece. Entertaining, nonetheless.
Yes, that's the piece I was thinking of. I usually don't pay attention to where the stuff on Slashdot comes from. I guess that one came from Wired.
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