TR:
Right now, the Linux packages available from RedHat and Caldera are easier to use than Windows. I base this not only on my own usage of both Linux and Windows, but also on the feedback I get from some folks who are not very facile with computers yet, who use Windows, yet find my Linux boxes preferable.
As for applications, that gap is shrinking rapidly, and in fact most of the applications most folk use are available for Linux. As an obvious example, the free Star Office Suite will import and export Excel, Word, and probably anything else from MS's Office Suite, without losing anything in the translation. Files can be simply opened and shut as if they were "native."
Worker productivity - nope, much less downtime with a Linux box. This is so apparent in practice that some folks, who do have very specific applications needs that are not yet met for Linux, are installing VMs on their Linux boxes and running "Windows" that way.
What your perspective does highlight is the mindshare that MS has, a definite gorilla characteristic.
- Pirah |
