07.01.08
Links 01/07/2008: Big Win for GNU/Linux in India, Another Ubuntu Bundle
- Microsoft tactics push India toward Linux
One of India’s 28 states plans to distribute 100,000 Linux laptops to students there. It sounds like Tamil Nadu’s volume purchasing agent decided to use Linux exclusively after being put off by Microsoft’s bundling tactics for academic users.
[...]
Though it could be sour grapes at having its unbundled OS proposal scuppered by Microsoft, ELCOT now says it recommends only Linux. On its website, the organization says, “ELCOT has been using SUSE Linux and Ubuntu Linux operating systems on desktop and laptop computers numbering over 2,000 during the past two years and found them far superior as compared to other operating systems, notably the Microsoft Operating System.”
- Super Talent Bundles Ubuntu Linux
Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of Flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, announced today that, for a limited time its line of MasterDrive MX SSDs will include a free CD containing the Ubuntu Desktop Edition Linux operating system and the OpenOffice software suite.
- Open source to ‘blow mobiles open’
McCabe said that the impending release of Google Android would provide a “wonderful catalyst” for the breakdown of proprietary software and hardware bundles from telcos. Other open source handset software includes the recent release of mobile Ubuntu.
- Linux experiences ‘prolific’ growth, says Linux Foundation’s Zemlin
Zemlin: The Linux platform is experiencing prolific growth in all aspects of computing, from embedded system to mobile applications and high-performance computing [HPC]. Linux is everywhere, from Google to Facebook, [from] cell phones to cash registers and ATMs. It’s growing faster than any other platform and increasing its overall share of the market.
- Ubuntu 8.04 Desktop Options
Eee
- Eee PC Update- 904/905 to replace 901? Debian to replace Xandros?
- Bootcamp 531 – Tweaking the Eee PC
Applications
- 11 Video Players for Linux – Review
- 42 of the Best Free Linux Audio Software
- Review of the Last.fm Open-Source Client for Linux
F/OSS
- EU: EC considers study on migration to Open Source
The European Commission is considering doing research on whether it should migrate to Open Source software, the EC’s director of corporate IT solutions and services, Christos Ellinides, told Reuters in an interview.
- Firefox 3 beefs up security
- Make Firefox fly: building from a minefield of source
- BitNami Adds Modules
- The Blessings of Synchronized Releases
Leftover
- Dell offers ‘Windows Vista Bonus’ to frightened customers
Dell is actively promoting a Microsoft licensing loophole to channel partners eager to keep selling PCs installed with Windows XP, after Microsoft’s official cut off.
[...]
During the US Department of Justice’s antitrust trial, IBM revealed that Microsoft had delayed giving IBM access to Windows 95 simply because IBM refused to kill its own OS/2 operating system or agree to not bundle its SmartSuite rival to Office on IBM PCs.
PitaGuy said,
July 1, 2008 at 8:49 am
I would not call that a win YET !
ELCOT had asked Microsoft to supply its operating system for Rs.500 ($12). But Microsoft offered a bundled version of its operating system, office suite and anti virus software for Rs.2500 ($57). This is not acceptable for ELCOT as this was an academic edition. ELCOT does not accept the marketing concept called ‘academic edition’. There can be only one price for ELCOT to market a product. Academic edition concept goes against this principle. Again, Microsoft has bundled its offer. ELCOT believes in openness. Any such bundling could result in serious exploitation of the consumer. This could be considered an anti-consumer move. ELCOT cannot support an anti consumer move. Hence ELCOT asked Microsoft to debundle its offer.
Microsoft India is yet to provide the revised offer (Rs.500/$12 for its operating system and debundling its current offer to fix the price of its office suite and anti virus software). Once we receive Microsoft’s revised offer which is acceptable to ELCOT, we would get back to you with our offer for Microsoft products.
They are using Linux to game MS and negotiate – nothing more…
Roy Schestowitz said,
July 1, 2008 at 8:52 am
The same can be said about virtually any migration to Free software in the public sector. You have to wait and see. Don’t cry “Wolf!” yet.