[Info-vax] New CEO of VMS Software

[Chris Townley]

On 05/01/2024 18:43, bill wrote:
> On 1/5/2024 1:27 PM, Arne Vajhøj wrote:
>> On 1/5/2024 1:08 PM, bill wrote:
>>> But on the subject of Linux vs. MS on the desktop.
>>> Who would you say was the largest single user of MS
>>> Windows products?  Why do you think they continue to
>>> use MS instead of Linux?
>>
>> There are two big groups of Windows usage:
>> * business - in the office
>> * consumer - at home
>>
> 
> I didn't say classes.  I said largest single user.  How about
> the US Government.  Who also happen to be the largest business
> (if you really want to call them that) in the US.  Definitely
> the current largest employer which gives them a lot if users.
> 
>> On the business side the driver are probably mostly about
>> integration.
>>
>> Windows PC's with Edge, Outlook, Office and Teams works
>> with Active Directory, SharePoint, phone system, mobile
>> phones etc..
>>
>> Too expensive and too risky to try and migrate that
>> to Linux based solution.
> 
> Actually, the biggest reason is more likely to be political.
> Or government financial (another system that would bankrupt
> any real business!!)
> 
>>
>> On the consumer side I expect drivers like:
>> - they know Windows
> 
> At the user level very low learning curve to change.
> 
>> - they use Windows at work
> 
> I would expect that most of the people who develop Linux OS and
> apps in their spare time use Windows at work.  One does not preclude
> the other.
> 
>> - they have some old Windows programs that they like
> 
> Unless they are running an old version of Windows their
> programs probably don't work.  I have had to replace external
> hardware devices I use not because the device stopped working
> but because the software did.
> 
>> - their PC came with Windows
> 
> And, if the (Illegal?) pressure from MS was removed they could
> just as easily come with Linux.  And it could make them cheaper.
> 
>>
>> The hassle of changing to Linux is not worth it given
>> how cheap Windows is for consumers.
> 
> Something not guaranteed to continue.  Not how Office is no longer
> sold but uses a subscription service so they can continue to collect
> revenue while forcing users to constantly change to newer versions
> even if the newer version offers the user nothing.
> 
> Only time will tell but I really think like so many other IT
> Giants MS's time is running out.  I only wish I was likely to
> still be around to see it. :-)
> 
> bill

You can still buy MS office, apart from the one-time keys, which 
apparently are legal, but at silly low prices.

I also believe there are more linux desktops out there than people give 
credit for. A few local councils in the UK a few years back. Also look 
at the raspberry pi - over 55 million units sold, by default will run a 
slightly tailored version of Debian, with a perfectly usable desktop and 
Libre office

-- 
Chris