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Topic: Open Source

Linux/Windows celebrity deathmatch anyone?

Summary: Comparisons of Linux versus Windows (and open source to close source) just ain't what they used to be. In the old days, it was just one invective after another coming from both sides of the fence.

David Berlind

By David Berlind for Between the Lines |

Comparisons of Linux versus Windows (and open source to close source) just ain't what they used to be. In the old days, it was just one invective after another coming from both sides of the fence. But now, after a string of various reports (some of questionable nature) showing Windows and Linux in a virtual dead heat on issues relating to security and total cost of ownership, researchers are having their names dragged through the mud as well.

In the latest spat, which comes on the heels of a Yankee Group study concluding that "most U.S. businesses say there is very little difference between the cost of maintaining a Windows versus a Linux-based corporate computing environment," the Yankee Group's Laura Didio has been pulled into the fray. Said Didio, "There's an extremist fringe of Linux loonies who hang out on forums and are disrespectful and threatening because you disagree with them....That can hurt the Linux community."

Perhaps it's time for one of those celebrity deathmatches where they cage a bunch of Linux, open-source, Windows, and closed-source luminaries into a boxing ring until only one person (or team I guess) is left standing. I'm imagining some of the industry's most illustrious personalities in the ring. In addition to Didio, the most obvious candidates that come to my mind are Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, JBoss CEO Marc Fluery, OSI president-emeritus Eric Raymond, Sun president/COO Jonathan Schwartz, Bruce Perens, the Free Software Foundation's Richard Stallman, Apple CEO Steve Jobs, and SCO CEO Darl McBride. Oh, and Groklaw's Pamela Jones as referee (I'd do it, but I'd be afraid to be in the ring with that bunch). Any other suggestions? Atlantic City or Vegas?


Topic: Open Source

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14 comments
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  • There is nothing funny about that.

    I'm just wondering what is the reason behind pseudo-supporters of Linux. Who is paying you? What is your agenda? There is nothing worst then trying to convince client to implement OSS solution when everybody in the room got such a bad experience with Open Source community.
    computer_man
    Reply Vote

    • I doubt there is any secret agenda.

      The problem with the Internet is that you have no way of knowing whether or not the person you are trying to have an intelligent conversation with is still in High School.

      But don't be put off Open Source because of a few loud mouths. After all, people who always seem to have the time to flame other people on ZD-Net probably aren't doing a lot of coding themselves.
      Zogg
      Reply Vote

    • You sound like Michael Jackson now..

      FREEDOM is paying us..!

      Who paid the American colonists??
      Xunil_Sierutuf
      Reply Vote

    • Nothing "pseudo" about it...

      [b]I'm just wondering what is the reason behind pseudo-supporters of Linux. Who is paying you? What is your agenda?[/b]

      The first few times I read inflamatory pro-Linux posts, I kinda thought there were some seriously mean spirited people out there. I mean, it's like Bill Gates personally broke into their house and did Lord knows what to their computer or something.

      But after reading more and more venomous posts, I've come to the conclusion that at least SOME of them have an agenda...

      SO what could this agenda be? Their agenda is the survival of Linux. The more people that adopt the platform, the more likely that Linux will survive and continue to grow and improve.

      It's like WHO in their right (or left) mind would spend hours working on an OS that's nothing more than a trivial footnote in the history of computers? The more adopters there are of Linux, the less likely it will join the plethora of obsolete and extinct platforms.

      So, these guys log in here and spread the FUD about Microsoft. It's a religion with some... Di Dio got that much right on the money. The fanatical flames that some of these people post is almost on par with some of the more radical Islamic Jihadists - only lacking the commitment to do the suicide bomber bit (so far) for the cause...
      Wolfie2K3
      Reply Vote

      • Well, that's your opinion anyway.

        And one of the distinguishing features of the Zealots (of ANY persuasion) that I have encountered is their inability to tell the difference between "opinion" and "fact".
        Zogg
        Reply Vote

        • It's just my observation...

          [b]And one of the distinguishing features of the Zealots (of ANY persuasion) that I have encountered is their inability to tell the difference between "opinion" and "fact".[/b]

          It's also a logical deduction given the evidence.

          For what it's worth, my experiences with Windows, while NOT without pitfalls and issues, has been reasonably decent enough. Most of the computers I've had to "retire" have died of hardware failure. Not by the "hand" of all of the plethora of viruses, vulnerabilities, etc.. that the "Chicken Little's" of Linux crowd are constantly harping about. My last server died of a power surge. When the box came back up, it would no longer recognize one of my larger drives. Oh well.. It was a boat anchor Pentium 100... It was time for an upgrade anyhow.

          The point is, properly managed ANY OS can be made safe and free of 99.99999999% of problems. Yes, Virginia, you CAN surf the Internet using Windows and be safe.
          Wolfie2K3
          Reply Vote

  • No contest.. Tux opens a little vial containing a virus...

    And down Windows goes!
    Xunil_Sierutuf
    Reply Vote

    • Yeh Heard that when Red Hat came

      Its not the first time we heard "And down Windows goes!"

      Hearing this since 1996. And WIndows is saying UP yours. Right about nix fanatics. I have been fighting these mainframe, nix jacka#$%^ since 1977.
      mjbad2
      Reply Vote

    • HOLY ****!

      I actually AGREE with you. Linux would definitely be the terrorist resorting to guerrilla tactics...
      Real World
      Reply Vote

      • Uptime/Downtime

        It's worth noting that the major points of competition have been shifting (often in attempt to move the argument to a point of strength of one OS or the other). I remember back in the "old days" how continguous uptime was one of the most highlighted issues in the Linux vs. Windows competition. Web sites, email signatures, etc -- all of it would advertise how long their Linux systems had been up without a reboot to draw attention to the more frequent rebooting that it took to run many Windows systems. Indeed, the more I added to Windows, the more I found myself rebooting it. I think it's worth noting that today, Windows (at least Windows XP SP2) is far more stable than other OSes. I've gone months at a time without rebooting my notebook... closing and opening it dozens of times. About the only times I find myself rebooting is when I install something that says a reboot is required. Admittedly, I'm a bit anal when it comes to best practices. I try to install as few apps or plug-ins as possible and when I do, I create restore points so I can very easily roll back. One of the main measures of ROI should be productivity and, whereas before, instability could get in the way of productivity, I have to admit that I am EXTREMELY productive on my Windows box and am no more productive using my Mac (but the Mac is more fun because it's more of an experience) and am slightly less productive on my Red Hat box which requires care and feeding that's a little more involved (than Windows or Mac) when it comes to installing/maintaining apps/drivers. I understand that there are other distributions that could ease my pain, but I don't have the luxury of time to try them all out until I find one that really gets the job done.
        dberlind
        Reply Vote

        • But how often do you get asked to reboot?

          I guess that depends on the number of patches that MS releases these days, then ;-).
          Zogg
          Reply Vote

  • When you follow the lead dog

    the view never changes! But your attitude depends on what the lead dog is doing. If he f@rts or dumps on you (M$ does), then you get a bad attitude. Can you blame the Linux guys for having an attitude?
    Roger Ramjet
    Reply Vote

  • OSX sits on the sidelines, then takes all when combatants are weak

    Actually I like OSX and linux: I don't really see why there needs to be any deathmatch.

    Windows XP Pro with SP2 isn't cheap but it probably is reasonably secure. XP Home I wouldn't get again.

    But then again I wouldn't buy another X86 or Windows since I don't like them.
    However, everyone else is free to make their own choice, no deathmatch required.
    hipparchus2000
    Reply Vote

  • With contestants like those.....

    ...it's better to change the name to "Infamous Whine and PR Control Match".
    IT Scion
    Reply Vote
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