Lately the web has been rampart with stories about two main topics - Ubuntu 7.10 Linux and Apple's freshly released Leopard operating system. Primarily the stories are dealing with computer users switching from their familiar Windows systems over to the new ones, with great success. I have to say, it sure has taken a lot of time for the software giant to be put in such an endangered state, but the release of their Windows Vista operating system seems to have finally put some nails into their coffin.
To be blunt, the general reaction to Vista has been cold. For an operating system that took so much time and effort to produce, you'd expect at least an improvement over Windows XP. The main things that seem to have been updated are the user interface, which although might look slightly better after getting some "inspiration" from Apple and Linux, the operating system is a juggernaut, barely running on a 512MB of RAM system and working only marginally better on more top end systems. Plain and simple, Vista is generally a hassle for computer users since it turns their computer is slugs, and offers no more of a better user experience than Windows XP. Which is one of the primary reasons people are switching over in their drovers to alternative, better operating systems.
And there's never been a better time to switch, either. The freshly released Ubuntu 7.10 is a very fine piece of software, and shows some of the maturity and polish Linux is finally beginning to show. Ubuntu comes with 3D desktop effect engine Compiz Fusion defaulted enabled for systems that can handle it, and rivals the special effects of Apple and Windows machines. Installation of programs is now very easy, and in general there isn't much a Linux beginner would have trouble with. The thing I like best about Linux is how with every release, the operating system seems to get faster and more responsive, instead of the other way around using Windows logic. With Ubuntu 7.10, Linux may finally begin to break some ground in users transitioning over from Windows.
It has taken a long time, but I believe that the Redmond software giant Microsoft may finally be on the downward spiral. Both Linux and Apple parties are capitalizing on the blunder that is Vista, and the general public is becoming better informed about the alternatives choices that are available to them. On a PC using Windows? Try out Ubuntu 7.10 or Kubuntu, the KDE based equivalent. In the market for a new computer? Try and Apple out. Chance are you'll like what you see.
A Month of Reflection
7 months ago
2 comments:
I sadly do not see Microsoft collapsing anytime in the near future. What may start happening if things go right is major rivals coming up against Microsoft, which might produce some half decent products if it just had some competition. It's done it in the past.
I think you may be pleasantly surprised. The major move at the moment is to online presence, and luckily Microsoft is way behind on this front. They will continue to lose market share against Apple, Linux, Google and other online powerhouses such as Facebook. Although I doubt they will die for good, they should go on the decline as people continue to switch away from them to better alternatives.
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