tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post3191540938128565000..comments2024-03-17T15:34:05.492-06:00Comments on MPECS Inc. Blog: Unbundling Windows and the so-called "Windows Tax"Philip Elder Cluster MVPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-89019806115767130362007-10-11T12:22:00.000-06:002007-10-11T12:22:00.000-06:00A (8:46 AM),Again, what I am trying to do is point...A (8:46 AM),<BR/><BR/>Again, what I am trying to do is point things out from the user's perspective.<BR/><BR/>Yes, from our perspective, it is an option to ship the OSs in that manner and leave the choice to the end user. But, IMNSHO, not from the user's perspective. It would be too huge of a pain point.<BR/><BR/>Ultimately, we are in a market driven setup. If there was a market for Linux for end users that are not keen on OSs, then perhaps we would see the Tier 1 product lines augmented and volumes increase. Since PCs with Linux installed are relatively new, only time will tell if there really is a market for Linux driven systems at the Joe and Jane level.<BR/><BR/><BR/>A (11:20 PM),<BR/><BR/>Yes, there are standards and certifications appearing on the market for Linux. Without a doubt.<BR/><BR/>Again, it comes down to the user and the user's ability to find information and make decisions <I>based on their experience</I>. This is where the pain points start.<BR/><BR/>PhilipPhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-33231560702571601112007-10-11T02:26:00.000-06:002007-10-11T02:26:00.000-06:00Philip, for your information, over 150,000 people ...Philip, <BR/><BR/>for your information, over 150,000 people have sat the Linux Professional Institute (LPI) exam. And from my industry experience, that's only a small portion of the Linux professionals out there in the field.<BR/><BR/>More here:<BR/><BR/>http://www.certforums.co.uk/forums/thread18981.html<BR/><BR/>And that doesn't include the tens of thousands of Red Hat Certified Engineers or Novell Linux professionals.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-42571833621296089692007-10-10T23:20:00.000-06:002007-10-10T23:20:00.000-06:00Actually, I've just read the paper, and at no stag...Actually, I've just read the paper, and at no stage does the author suggest that users be prevented from installing the Windows which is shipped with the PC. The key point is that the Windows should be shipped as a 'recovery'/imaging style DVD, which the user can insert into the drive and have the PC ready in 10 or so minutes. <BR/><BR/>The important difference is that the user will have to acquire a licence key to use Windows, just like they presently have to undergo a product activation process, but obviously with payment to Microsoft for the OEM licence.<BR/><BR/>I see nothing wrong with this approach. In fact, it seems quite fair and reasonable and allows competitor operating systems, like Linux, some room to acquire users.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-88244251132609686352007-10-10T08:46:00.000-06:002007-10-10T08:46:00.000-06:00A.,My evidence is in my experience since the early...A.,<BR/><BR/>My evidence is in my experience since the early 1990s.<BR/><BR/>Joe and Jane have probably purchased at least two, or possibly three PCs in the last 10 years. They are used to pulling it out of the box, plugging it in, turning it on, and it works.<BR/><BR/>They may have a kid or friend that would help them.<BR/><BR/>If they get their box and there is no OS on the machine at all, they would be helpless. <BR/><BR/>Besides which OS to install, how would they know that they needed to protect their system with a firewall or antivirus? Where would that info come from and how would they go about choosing the right product for them? How would they know what programs are needed to accomplish what tasks like word processing?<BR/><BR/>The above questions are just some of the ones we need to ask ourselves. We need to be very careful about the assumptions we make when speaking about the hardware, OS, and applications on the system. We cannot assume that the end user sees things the way we do.<BR/><BR/>This group requires a lot of handholding. They do not necessarily RTM. They do not WANT to know what is going on in the box. They just want it to work.<BR/><BR/>The main thing is: Introducing something new to Joe and Jane is quite traumatic for them. Having to depend on someone to help them is not always an option. I don't know how many times I have heard, "my son/daughter is sick and tired of helping me" or "I can't seem to get in touch with soandso anymore" or "they clicked so fast I couldn't keep up".<BR/><BR/>In my experience, when things break, they may have someone they can turn to. If that doesn't work, they have a number of professionals they can turn to in any city. <BR/><BR/>That is one of the benefits of having the Microsoft certification and Microsoft Small Business Specialist designations. We are there for them.<BR/><BR/>PhilipPhilip Elder Cluster MVPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06082028960643490292noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5976686513564131325.post-39663778245079498742007-10-10T02:33:00.000-06:002007-10-10T02:33:00.000-06:00A few questions. You say "End user support needs w...A few questions. <BR/><BR/>You say "End user support needs will increase. This is especially true for the Joe and Jane User group."<BR/><BR/>Where's your evidence?<BR/><BR/>Also, you say "Who will Joe and Jane, or Frank and Janice turn to if the OS install fails or they do not know what broke?"<BR/><BR/>Who do they turn to when they use Windows?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com