"In the next 10 years, we think Linux can be as successful as Windows has been over the last 10 years," Cowpland said. "It's going to be just like Windows without the tax."
Just like Windows? Is that what Linux users want or is that a problem that Linux solves?
With $300 PCs now available, "Windows is 25 percent of the cost of materials, which is clearly too much," Cowpland said.
Windows is 25% of the cost of materials on a $300 box because anyone can make a box these days, and they do. Is $25 too much to pay for a single movie? I don't know, the market sets these things. It's not at all clear that consumers would have a problem paying more for the OS than the hardware.
Linux needn't cost so much, he said. "We think that's going to be a compelling advantage, and why Linux is almost inevitable at this point."
Yes, it's free and it remains to be seen whether slapping a few balloons on the box is going to add value. I realize Corel will also slap that warmed-over, bloated-pig-ware office suite on it but that's another sign that Cowpland doesn't get it. Having failed to create a lightweight Java office product (because they had no idea what they were doing) these washed-up 80's DOS maintenance workers went back to the giant hairball that somebody else got working for them and they bought. I'm sorry but Cowpland has zero credibility and the Street has absolute zero confidence in his ability to deliver, with good reason. |
