Linux has come in a long way from the “outcast” to the mainstream app. First have a look at this video:
The earlier “dependency hell” has been standardised with scores of package managers. It is relatively straightforward to add any repository and auto update the entire system. The spit and polish of the default desktops surpasses any mainstream operating systems- Mac and Windows.
Enterprises remain beholden to FUD – Fear, Uncertainity and Doubt. Open source has enough firepower to bring about systematic cost savings through extended stable releases with continuous updates of security patches. Whether it is through equipment manufacturers or through the myriad vendors, I strongly believe the government should align its financial muscle and switch over to open source. Enterprises will easily follow.
The “most popular OS” has their CEO’s making an ass of themselves. It hasn’t changed much.
It is hard to believe that a perception change has happened in less than a decade. For a company that’s drunk on consumer data (through its telemetry) has become another app publisher on Android and has failed miserably to develop its own browser. Its cloud services are an “also-ran” and it believes in leveraging its influence through setting up “research-and-development” parks by crowing about the employment opportunities. A half decent gaming division and AI remain the bright spots in otherwise a moribund operating system and a history chequered with failures in mobile. It is so desperate to generate usage for its search properties it promises to dole out cash. If this isn’t desperation on the part of a Fortune 500 company, I don’t what else is.
Open source will liberate the users from the tyranny of the proprietary standards – whether it is documentation, file formats or any other aspect. Cost savings should become the norm for the enterprises and it is relatively easier to set up own hosting solutions using NextCloud for enterprise back ups.
Amazon, for example, uses significant open source architecture without paying back and then uses its financial muscle to edge out the competitors. It represents a locked in proposition, and if the hype about the data sciences in enterprises persists about pulling out the monkeys from the hats, it would entrench their position even more. I have always advocated for on-premises solutions- hardware which remains under control; ring-fenced back-up solutions and robust disaster recovery solutions. It will require in-house technologists and may not look good on the balance sheets but data is the new oil. I think the logic flows from the common-sensical solution to slash costs on subscription options from these mainstream technology companies, and instead focus on robust business continuity plans.
Seriously, have a look at this again:
The same criticism can be lobbed at Apple. Under the garb of “privacy”, it aggregates financial data and user data to run its own ad-business. By granting itself total monopoly for the app store, it has a stranglehold over the complete ecosystem. Contrast this how Linux liberates the users.
App developers for both Mac and Windows ignore Linux. For example, there is no feature parity of Dropbox for Linux compared to what it offers for mainstream operating systems. It is despite paying them for their back up solutions. Most users have to depend on their “community forums”, which gets inconsistent support. I am not sure how many requests they get for porting over to Linux but despite the installs, the user experience remains sub-par and contributes to significant user resistance.
This is 2021 and in this pandemic era, we need to slash costs-personally and at the enterpise level. The control over the user experience should flow back to the consumer. If my friction points are solved, I would ditch Microsoft in a heart beat. I mean, seriously look at the new desktops- I am drooling over them!
RadOncNotes 