To:"Mike Swier" <mswier@YAHOO.COM>
Date: Tue, 18 May 2004 15:59:23 -0400 (EDT)
From:"Linux Pipeline Newsletter" <linuxed@techwire.com>
Subject: [LPN] Linux Pipeline Newsletter - 5.18.2004 - Desktop
LINUX PIPELINE NEWSLETTER
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/
Tuesday, May 19, 2004

In This Issue
1. Editor's Note: Beware The Windows Comparison Fallacy
2. The Kernel: Top Stories This Week
  - Follow Up: Linux's Achilles' Heel
  - Readers Defend Desktop Linux's Future
3. Only The Best Linux And Open-Source News
4. Voting Booth: Cast Your Vote On Open Source Java
5. Shameless Self-Promotion

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-----------------------------------------

1. EDITOR'S NOTE: Beware The Windows Comparison Fallacy

Head-to-head comparisons between Windows and Linux face the
danger of falling in to a common fallacy: People making those
comparisons often judge Linux solely on the basis of what Windows
is good at, and they fail to compare the two operating systems on
Linux's strengths. 

It's true that Windows has a greater breadth of application and
device support. But Linux is less expensive, and is more
flexible. It's better suited to embedded systems and service
worker's devices. Linux is also not controlled by a single,
American company, which is a big plus for international computer
users, especially those in the Third World. 

It may well be quite some time before significant numbers of
existing Windows desktops get replaced by Linux, but Linux is
seeing widespread desktop deployment in new applications, such as
point-of-sale systems. 

Readers took a couple of Linux Pipeline writers to task recently
for losing sight of those issues. First, columnist Fred Langa
describes some of the mail he received in response to a recent
column complaining that Linux is incompatible with many common
sound cards. He notes that Linux vendors themselves are often the
first to fall into the Windows comparison fallacy, charging
Windows prices for Linux desktops, and thus undercutting one of
Linux's main advantages, its low cost. 

Follow Up: Linux's Achilles' Heel
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=20301173

And readers also took Yours Truly to task for my despairing
outlook on Linux's desktop future.

Readers Defend Desktop Linux's Future 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/trends/20600059

--Mitch Wagner, Editor
Linux Pipeline
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/
mailto:mwagner@cmp.com?Subject=LPNfeedback

For more commentary and links from Mitch Wagner, see Wagner's
Weblog
http://wagblog.internetweek.com

-----------------------------------------

2. THE KERNEL: TOP STORIES THIS WEEK

Follow Up: Linux's Achilles' Heel
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=20301173
Expecting Linux to be the same as Windows is completely
unrealistic, but that's what many Linux vendors are doing. 

Readers Defend Desktop Linux's Future
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/trends/20600059
Readers say that Linux will first see widespread adoption in
desktops for service workers, such as point-of-sale systems.
Knowledge workers - in other words, people running Microsoft
Office - will come later. 

3. ONLY THE BEST LINUX AND OPEN-SOURCE NEWS

Qantas Signs With IBM; Transitions To Linux
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleId=20600007
The 10-year outsourcing pact with IBM Global Services will create
a utility computing environment expected to help slash the
airline's operating expenses.
 	
IBM Offers Power Developers Free Tools 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/20301300
 	
Microsoft Posts More Open Source Code 
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/20300961

Quest Gives Away Java Code Profiler
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/news/20300905

4. VOTING BOOTH: Cast Your Vote On Open Source Java
http://linuxpipeline.com/vote/java_040427.jhtml
Should Sun Microsystems release Java as open source? 

THE RESULTS SO FAR:

Yes: 76% - 231 votes out of 303
No: 24% - 72  votes.

5. SHAMELESS SELF-PROMOTION

Learn About Network Management Products In Product Finder
http://productfinder.linuxpipeline.com/index.cgi?search=Search&final_cat1=6&category=18&sub_cat=58

For other Product Finder product categories, browse or search the
database from its home page:
http://productfinder.linuxpipeline.com/

Check Out The Linux Pipeline Topic Centers

Core Linux:
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/corelinux/

Applications:
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/applications/

Enterprise Open Source:
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/enterprise/

Business:
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/business/

Tell A Colleague
If you know a colleague or co-worker who might be interested in
signing up for this newsletter, please forward it to him or her
and point out the subscription page:
http://www.linuxpipeline.com/newsletter.jhtml

Have You Discovered The Other Pipelines?
Linux Pipeline is one in a series of specialized IT sites you
might like. Here are the others, and you can expect more in the
future:

NEW! Messaging Pipeline http://www.messagingpipeline.com
Database Pipeline http://www.databasepipeline.com
Outsourcing Pipeline http://www.outsourcingpipeline.com/
Enterprise Apps Pipeline http://www.enterpriseappspipeline.com
Biz Intelligence Pipeline http://www.bizintelligencepipeline.com
Compliance Pipeline http://www.compliancepipeline.com
Desktop Pipeline http://www.desktoppipeline.com
Developer Pipeline http://www.developerpipeline.com
IT Utility Pipeline http://www.itutilitypipeline.com
Mobile Pipeline http://www.mobilepipeline.com
Networking Pipeline http://www.networkingpipeline.com
Security Pipeline http://www.securitypipeline.com
Server Pipeline http://www.serverpipeline.com
Small Business Pipeline http://www.smallbusinesspipeline.com
Storage Pipeline http://www.storagepipeline.com
Web Services Pipeline http://www.webservicespipeline.com

Every Pipeline site has its own newsletter and RSS feed. Give
them a try.

------- Advertisement -------------------

Maximize the potential of Linux with CA Management Software.
CA solutions can backup, secure and manage your Linux implementation,
while also allowing seamless integration into your existing
infrastructure. As a result, Linux can be easily adopted into your
enterprise. To find out more about our continuing commitment to Linux
innovations, visit ca.com/linux.    
http://dclsmtp1.techwire.com/trk/click?ref=zp7waa8wo_0-7dx129cx126431&

-----------------------------------------

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