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IBM warns Linux Desktop Developers not to copy Windows

IBM warns Linux Desktop Developers not to copy Windows

By: Peter Chubb | August 7, 2008 | 4 Comments


IBM bosses have sent a warning to Linux Desktop Developers; they have told the open source community to make Linux like a desktop OS for consumers and businesses. What they mean by this is “Not to Copy Windows.”

Bob Sutor, Vice President of open source and standards at IBM was at LinuxWorld Conference in San Francisco. He told the attendees there that the open source community has to make Linux as popular as Operating Systems used on desktops for both consumer and business users.

In the conference Sutor said “Stop copying 2001 Windows. That’s not where the usability action is.”

Yesterday we reported that IBM was joining forces with three major Linux distributors Canonical/Ubuntu, Novell and Red Hat, to come up with a Microsoft Free PC by 2009.

All four companies have agreed to provide hardware partners with the software needed to build these desktops. IBM carry a lot of weight when it comes to the Linux community, this is because they put a huge amount of investment into the program.
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  • Tyg13

    Bravo! Bravo. I think that Linux needs to really enter the Business world as a very strong competitor. I just hope that means that Linux won’t end up being priced. That is the last thing ANYONE wants. I’m pretty sure that none of these developers would EVER let this happen, especially Ubuntu, who has devoted themselves to never putting a price tag on their distribution.

    I think its really a big step for Linux and Open Source softwares to be associated with a giant corporation like IBM and to make a COMPLETELY Windows-free computer to be distributed by them.

    Go Linux!!

    (By the way, I’m currently running Ubuntu Linux!)

  • Anonymous

    You do realize that Linux and ANYTHING under GPL can never be priced right? Maybe you should do some history checks… It’s against the law to sell Linux, you can only sell your time for installing, compiling source, offering customer support etc…. Learn your facts…

  • nightynight

    dear Anonymous, maybe you should do some current reality checks… ubuntu is for sale at best buy for $19.99. there has also never been a law in federal or state courts that says “selling linux is illegal.” leave Tyg13 alone and … “learn your facts”

    Tyg13 good comment!

  • tennisaddict

    yeah, awesome, until you try to plug in a webcam or a printer that you don’t buy from either walmart or a big box store. I’ve been popping various distros of linux into either a desktop or laptop for a few years now and always ends with the same result, it lacks certain vital functionality. Case in point– I recently installed ubuntu on a m275 and of course, you can either make the tablet functionality work, but then you mouse won’t scroll or drag or you can scroll or drag your mouse but forget about using your stylus. This is why linux isn’t awesome; it just doesn’t work well. Sure, you can pop in linux on a basic pc or laptop; but as soon as you try to do something moderately fancy, its useless. So, why doesn’t linux have a tablet laptop distro? I will say this much though, I am totally supportive of dual booting linux/windows. I’m note going to get rid of ubuntu on the tablet just because of the tablet problem. I might be willing to switch over to linux, but I know that either a printer or webcam or usb drive or something will not be supported. So, until I know that it isn’t going to take me 2 days surfing poorly answered forums to get some basic functionality, i’m forced to stick with windows.

    Of course you can sell ubuntu if you want. This is the same principle that goes into selling bottled water. You are marketing it towards idiots who don’t realize that they can get if for free from their home.