Is Microsoft really trying to compete with FLOSS?

So Microsoft announced this week that it would stop updating it's core "enterprise" search product on Linux and Unix.  So when you have a mixed environment, like most medium and large corporations do, how is a solution without a linux or unix option still an enterprise solution.  Really how do you call this an enterprise search solution?  Easy you promise to support though not update the existing code for the next ten(10) years and help people setup Windows options.  If you are wondering why your Microsoft stock never seems to go up this would be a prime example.

By comparison to this most search solutions in the FLOSS world do offer and support Windows.  So does this mean that Microsoft has just decided it can't compete?  Hard to believe that the folks in Redmond can't seem to figure out there is money in software for Linux and BSD.  Controlling the entire stack just isn't that important anymore is it?  I guess they think so.

So does FLOSS get the win in this competion?  What do you think?

Is your company looking for a cheap or free alternative to MS Office?

There is a cool list of 7 alternatives to MS Office over at Hungry Hackers. One of them is not available for Linux but the other 6 are.  If you haven't tried out Open Office or Star Office I highly recommend them even if you aren't planning on switching to a Linux Desktop.  Google Docs and Zoho are also excellent Cloud Based options if your company will allow it.

Microsoft Exec Bach believes Mobile Linux is not stable enough...

In this Article at the Registers Hardware site the author talks about how Richard Bach, the Executive at Microsoft responsible for the Smart/Cell Phone Market,  believes that Linux will prove to be too unstable on cell phones.  Everyone I know with a Windows Mobile phone has to reboot it at least once a day.  I have rebooted my Droid four times since I got it back in Novemember.  One of those times was an Android Update.  So which one is more stable?  Really Windows on cell phones is about at Windows 95 stability levels.  In other words it works most of the time but always runs better after a good reboot.

Every OS and App will need to be rebooted perodically so that they can update the cell tower information, software, and just general good house cleaning.  So expecting the same stability out of your cell phone as say an old physical phone or even a wireless home phone is pretty unrealistic.  As long as the phone isn't rebooting while I am talking on it then you should be fine.

The reality is that none of the Cell Phone companies are giong to allow buggy phones on their network.  They want the happiest phone users and can't get that without stable phones.  So the only people that believe this is a real issue are sitting in Redmond drinking coffee with Mr. Bach. 

Episode 16 - Microsoft Green Lights Moonlight, Best Buys and others sued over alleged GPL Violations, Predictions for 2010

 Running Time: 43:49 and found here

1) Introduction

2) News

Microsoft approves MoonLight as part of the deal with Novell

http://bit.ly/7vmnry

Lawsuit against Best buys and other over GPL

http://blog.internetnews.com/skerner/2009/12/best-buy-lawsuit-shows-how-gpl.html

http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3853311/Best+Buy+Caught+in+GPL+Tussle.htm

http://www.developer.com/open/article.php/3853281/News-Brief-Best-Buy-and-CE-Vendors-Sued-over-GPL-Software.htm

3) Predictions for 2010(both things we think will happen and won't)

An App Store for Linux like there is one for the IPhone and Android Phones

Microsoft will be try to make a serious run at VMWare for the Virtualization Market on XSeries, Red Hat will come from no where and put Microsft into 3rd place behind Xen.

Someone will figure out what to do with Google Wave in an enterprise or just in general.  Wave Federation will take off.

Chrome OS and Android will merge.

This will not be the year of the Linux Desktop.  Linux will continue to gain share in the X86 Server market.  Linux will be the perfered Netbook OS paired with something like Chrome OS.

Linux will not see a major virus in 2010.  Really we don't think there will be a major issue with Viruses in general in 2010.

4) Conclusion

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Thank You all for listening in 2009.  We have grown faster either Joe, Bill, Jason or I thought we could.  That couldn't have happened without the listeners passing us along.  We look forward to podcasting for you next year.  Have a safe and happy New Year.

Watch the site for the exact date of our next podcast.(Should be 1/15/2010.)