Authored by: red floyd on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 04:59 PM EDT

Please put the correction in the title, if possible, so PJ can find it.



---

I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a *CITIZEN* of the United

States of America.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: red floyd on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:02 PM EDT

Please use the title of the newspick as your comment title.





---

I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a *CITIZEN* of the United

States of America.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: DaveF on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:02 PM EDT

PJ asks: "Is your horse *really* faster? If so, why shoot my horse?"



Isn't it obvious? I shot your poor horse because mine was obviously so much

faster...



Hope that helps.



---

Imbibio, ergo sum [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: red floyd on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:03 PM EDT

Please use clickies (see the red text below the submission box).



On-topic posters will have to sign a purchase agreement for SCOXQ.



---

I am not merely a "consumer" or a "taxpayer". I am a *CITIZEN* of the United

States of America.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: TheBlueSkyRanger on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:27 PM EDT

Hey, everybody!



So...just how bad is this?



On the one hand, it looks like breaking M$' stranglehold looks nearly

impossible.



And yet....



At first, I was going to say responsibility falls to us to start patronizing

those that either embrace Linux (System 76) or go used hardware to keep our

money out of the hands of those who sell us out.



Then I think, but that's just those of us aware of this stuff, the general

public doesn't care.



Then I think, maybe they do care.



More and more people are hearing of Linux (I'm ignoring Mac, since M$ isn't

really directing any ire towards them, so I'm figuring they aren't in the race).

People are not buying Vista. They aren't buying the Zune. They aren't buying

the XBox.



And, despite M$ being able to say frog and manufacturers jump, Linux is still

spreading. Maybe not as fast as it could, but it definitely is spreading.



What I'm wondering is, was this smoking gun fired at something essentially

bulletproof?



Dobre utka,

The Blue Sky Ranger [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: DebianUser on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:34 PM EDT

There seems to be no problem finding cellphones with a variety of operating

systems and software on them. I have not a lot of kind thoughts about the

restrictions, plans, lock-in, and other aspects of the cell phone business as

practiced by the wireless operators, but at least there is diversity in platform

availability despite Microsoft's efforts to push WinCE into that market.



I'd buy one of those Snapdragon netbooks in the time it took to fumble for my

wallet and get a credit card out. What has to actually happen to get them on the

market? Can we call it an oversize cellphone (add a sim card slot) to get them

in production? [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: PolR on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:39 PM EDT

This leaves a huge opportunity for a maverick entrepreneur. If you are willing

to sell low cost linux devices you are guaranteed an exclusive access to the

Linux market for quite a while since Microsoft won't let anyone else get into

this market but other entrepreneurs using the same strategy as you.



If you build your hardware directly from chips, never sell a Windows version and

use a direct sales model so you don't need a retailer, there is no place where

Microsoft can pressure you because you don't need them at all. And if Microsoft

can't pressure you, you can grow your exclusive Linux market until you have

established your brand and build a profitable business.





[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:42 PM EDT

Not quite true to say there are no Linux netbooks available. For example, Dell

is selling the Mini 10 with Ubuntu.



A recent Dell mailing I got surprised me by actually advertising this fact. Its

the first time I've seen Dell volunteer the information that they'll sell a

system with Linux on it. Used to be you had to know where to look.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 05:56 PM EDT

The 'new' DoJ has threatened Google, multiple times.



The 'old' Microsoft continues their predatory ways.



I often wonder if the rumored cooperation between MS and NSA is a factor. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: jbb on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 06:09 PM EDT

I have absolutely no doubt that MS is trying to squash Linux by all means fair and foul. But that does not mean that all Linux setbacks are due to MS. For example Computer World reports that NVidia is saying Windows CE is better than Android on netbooks: Mike Rayfield, general manager for Nvidia's mobile business unit, said Nvidia preferred Microsoft's Windows CE over Android because of CE's maturity. He said Android currently has a rough user interface.

...

For instance, Android screen icons that fit on smartphone screens (usually 4-inches and under) are oversized on a smartbook's 8- or 9-inch screen, he said. ISTM possible that the Snapdragon was pulled from Computex simply because the UI was poor. The comments from Nvidia's Mike Rayfield make sense to me. But in other news, The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Acer is planning to launch an Android based netbook in the third quarter of 2009. This seems to jive with the NVidia comments that Android is not quite ready for netbook primetime. ---

You just can't win with DRM. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Stumbles on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 06:51 PM EDT

To quote PJ; ...regulatory body that can get Microsoft's fat fanny off of Linux..., forget that. Where is this judge that is supposed to be watching Microsoft. You know, the one that hasn't done squat since Microsoft was convicted by the DOJ for illegal monopolistic practices. ---

You can tuna piano but you can't tune a fish. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: wowbagger on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 07:07 PM EDT

Unfortunately, this is NOT a smoking gun. This is more like somebody saying

"Yes, I saw a smoking gun. No, I don't have the gun."



Yes, I think we all "know" that Microsoft was leaning on Asus in this

matter. I think we all "know" that Microsoft is doing everything they

can to stall, delay, and destroy Netbooks Which Are Not Running Windows.



I put "know" in scare-quotes because while we may "know" it

we cannot prove it, and the statements by the manufacturers are not proof.

Microsoft can (and likely will) say "Oh heaven forfend! We would NEVER say

or do anything like that - <voice person="Richard M. Nixon">It

would be wrong!</voice> We welcome any and all competition because we feel

we offer the best value for the users. That manufacturer's rep is mistaken, and

cannot prove a thing he is alleging."



In other words, a "smoking gun" would be an email, phone call, letter,

internal memorandum, or other communication traceable to a higher-up at

Microsoft.



The Halloween Documents were smoking guns. This, unfortunately, is not.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 07:47 PM EDT

PJ, you know as well as the rest of us that M$ can't compete on a level playing

field. If they tried "let[ting] the market speak", they'd LOSE market

share so fast it'd make all our heads spin! (I wish I could think of more

eloquent words to express this.) [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 08:30 PM EDT

Sorry if I seem naïve, but I think PJ has misinterpreted Mr. Chang's quote (I'm not entirely sure that Mr. Blankenhorn did the same). To me, Mr. Chang's quote could be paraphrased as "We are a hardware consortium, just like the Open Source Consortium. They [the OSC] want to promote Open Source and Linux. But when you [again, the OSC] attempt to start that promotion on the PC, you have to contend with Windows, which is scary. So they [once again, OSC] avoid the PC platform for now, and try start with PDAs and smartphones, where Windows isn't so much of a threat". In other words, he is not saying the hardware manufacturers refrain from bringing GNU/Linux netbooks to market because they are scared of Microsoft, but rather putting the guilt on OSC's hands. Under this interpretation, the reason for the absence on GNU/Linux on netbooks would be that OSC chooses not to compete in that arena, but rather on the smartphone and PDA. I don't buy it, of course: it would surprise me very much if OSC were chicken to confront Windows in the netbook market. I am afraid that Mr. Chang may have just been doing a pretty good job of weaseling out of an uncomfortable question, but I don't think this quoute is anywhere near a smoking gun... [ Reply to This | # ]



Alternative interpretation? - Authored by: PJ on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 08:54 PM EDT Alternative interpretation? - Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 09:59 AM EDT

- Authored by: PJ on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 08:54 PM EDT

Authored by: The Mad Hatter r on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 09:16 PM EDT

Tweaktown has a video of it. Based on what I saw, there's nothing wrong with the UI. In fact the only problem I can see, is that it threatens Microsoft's monopoly. ---

Wayne



http://crankyoldnutcase.blogspot.com/

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: kawabago on Friday, June 19 2009 @ 11:40 PM EDT

My boyfriend has agreed that when his Vista computer becomes so virus encrusted

I have to reformat the drive, I can install Linux. That's a big step forward

from, "I don't want that!" He got frustrated with Apple limitations

and he's starting to see that Linux actually works better than Microsoft. He

already prefers aisleriot solitaire to MS's meager offerings.



Linux is going to win, no doubt about it.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 02:50 AM EDT

Danish version2.dk has reported that Microsoft has "kindly asked" MSI

to end sales of Wind U115 because it uses both an SSD and a harddrive.



This is a little OT since the machine is designed for Windows XP. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 04:03 AM EDT

Funny that has never stopped vendors in the past from filling

order books on the basis of the first few drops of condensation

from their latest vaporware.





[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Ian Al on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 05:14 AM EDT

When I was young, I used to see a squat, chunky guy, slightly balding with wild hair and dressed in dirty, shabby clothes walking up and down the middle of the high street shouting obscenities at the passing traffic. Eventually, a kindly copper on the beat would escort him safely from the middle of the road and send him on his way. I thought the guy was weird. Now, I am decades older and wiser and I see that he was a savant. It may be too late for me to join him. And another thing. My main desktop and my laptop are elderly, but perform pretty well. Would you all stop putting up links to System76. It beats me as to why you would ever think I would be weak and silly enough to buy a top of the range, 'Mad Dog' desktop. ---

Regards

Ian Al



Linux: Viri can't hear you in free space. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: DaveJakeman on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 06:33 AM EDT

Thanks for posting this, PJ, this is the heads-up that was needed.



Microsoft has squeezed Linux out of the netbook marketplace and is trying to

disguise the fact by claiming Windows is more popular on netbooks, because

that's what users are crying out for (see shill postings above). No, users are

crying out for something simple, cheap and reliable, that does what they want

and "just works". [ Reply to This | # ]



Heads Up - Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 04:39 PM EDT

Authored by: globularity on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 07:06 AM EDT

While I would not agree that it is a blatant admission, Chinese English is

slightly different and this could be read two ways, insufficient market or they

got stepped on by Microsoft.



If there was insufficient market then it would not make sense to develop a

product then drop it before that market was tested, so the Microsoft

interference version wins.



Intel used the same tactics against AMD in the late 90's and the Taiwanese MB

makers were just as helpful to the monopolist, they are slow learners.



I really do not get some of these corporate types, I would love the opportunity

to stick it to a stand over man. for Microsoft to interfere they need to

communicate their message, avoid telephone and face to face communication as

much as possible, keep call logs tape the calls, use Email as much as possible

save everything. Revenge will be sweet when the next non US antitrust case comes

around.



It would seem easy for Taiwanese officials to trap Microsoft then hit them with

a massive RICO or antitrust case. And just to make sure watch any political

decision makers like a hawk and if any Microsoft money goes that way, wait till

the politician shows their hand before deciding to either bury them or warn them

off this is a perfect use for an intelligence agency, a foreign entity trying to

interfere in a political process is a national security issue.







---

Windows vista, a marriage between operating system and trojan horse. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 12:17 PM EDT

Can we find out the email address and start Linux campaign. Tell them we want

Snapdragon with Linux? I want one.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Linux on Netbooks: The Smoking Gun - Authored by: Anonymous on Thursday, June 25 2009 @ 12:00 AM EDT

Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 01:04 PM EDT

This article is a bit skewed. While MS has stepped on Linux adoption on the

netbook, it isn't due to underhanded dirty tactics. No, that would be far to

easy. The reasons Linux adoption on the netbook is poor, are simple:

#1) People like what they know, and they know windows.

#2) Linux isn't Linux, it is Linux(s). Each distribution is the same, and yet

different enough to confuse people.

#3) Linux on the desktop still, is not easy enough for non-technical users.

#4) When comparing the ease of use of slightly less often used tasks, usability

on linux becomes extremely technical.



If the point of the article is to pretend Linux is a viable alternative to

Windows, and that if the consumers were given the choice they would choose

windows. They have

http://blog.laptopmag.com/msi-wind-coming-to-major-retailer-new-models-coming-so

on and linux is loosing. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 01:08 PM EDT

Archos is releasing a 500GB Ubuntu netbook with 2GB ram for about the same price

$350 (+$25) as the WinXP 160GB/1GB RAM version

http://archosfans.com/2009/06/15/archos-10-ubuntu-with-500gb-hard-disk-and-2gb-r

am-released/



I filmed the best ARM based laptop videos from Computex at

http://techvideoblog.com/?s=arm [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 01:42 PM EDT

There is no "death of the netbook", Asus is a Chinese company and they

play it strategic. They invest in Linux and Microsoft pays them to include

Windows. Every hardware manufacturer tries that now and therefore companies have

to credibly invest in Linux to get the Redmond rent. Look how much stuff is

coming from Taiwan, how openwrt or lxde take up, and the hardware manufacturers

use their committments as a strategic tool. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: sciamiko on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 03:42 PM EDT

Thank you, PJ, for bringing this all clearly to our attention, and I hope that

you are not kept too busy keeping at bay all the trash that it is bound to

attract.



Taking on SCO is one thing, but tackling MS directly is something else.



s.

[ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: argee on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 04:28 PM EDT

Go to Amazon.com

Enter "Aspire one linux"

First one that pops up is the A110L model, you know, the

first one ... 3 cell, linpus lite, 8 GB SSD, 512 RAM, plain

white color.



And the price? A mere US $650.00 !!



Heck of a deal! Viva Linux! We are saved!





---

--

argee [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: LuYu on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 09:14 PM EDT

Let us customers choose what we prefer from a fair and even playing field, please. Well, I think we can all fairly assume that is impossible. If MS had played fairly, everybody would be using Macs or even BeOS today, and this whole SCO fiasco would never have occurred. The fact is that MS's entire history as a company has been based on deliberate misrepresentations about, well, everything. It is all smoke and mirrors. I saw this personally at COMPUTEX, and it was not pretty. I also fear that I deserve part of the blame. About six months ago, I showed an MS employee my Eee901. The individual in question started pointing out all the supposed flaws of Xandros (not from first hand experience but from hearsay). I then pointed out that my book was running Ubuntu and shot down pretty much every argument the individual had about usability. The conversation turned to my phone which was also running Linux. The MS rep turned white and changed the subject. It was right about that time that MS started really laying down the law about Linux with the OEMs. I certainly hope that was a coincidence. As a side note, I would like to hear the Groklaw view on how responsible MS is for the current economy. In Taiwan, computer manufacturing is obviously a very important sector. If people and businesses are not buying PCs because they do not want to buy Vista, does that mean the recent sluggish tech market is MS's fault? Secondly, if Linux gave rise to the only profitable class of products over the last year and a half, will MS's suppression of Linux lead to a slump in netbook sales? Has MS's unlawful and immoral monopoly gone so far as to affect everyone's wallet? ---



"Proprietary software is an antisocial practice."

-- Richard M. Stallman [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Saturday, June 20 2009 @ 11:27 PM EDT

The article complains, wondering where the DOJ is in all this. Well, rather than

sit on your thumbs, file a complaint with the DOJ:



http://www.usdoj.gov/atr/contact/newcase.htm



They will hear from me tomorrow when I type out my thoughts. Maybe it would help

to hear from you folks, too, rather than sitting around waiting for them to find

this out.



To quote them: "Information from the public is vital to the work of the

Antitrust Division. Your e-mails, letters, and phone calls could be our first

alert to a possible violation of antitrust laws and may provide the initial

evidence needed to begin an investigation."



So get off your duffs and do something for once. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, June 21 2009 @ 03:24 AM EDT

two ways to get XP on an EeePC. It's unbelievably complicated, and I expect if the only way to get XP on a netbook was this, XP would have about 1% of the market. Maybe 10 years ago, you'd have been right. But most of today's PC owners can't do anything more "technically advanced" than putting an optical disk into the computer and waiting for it to tell them what to do. A problem that gets worse every year is that the reading skills of the general population are declining. A significant number of PC owners would not be able to understand the instructions you linked to. And that's people whose native language is English. The page has links to translations into 10 other languages, but the ones I can read all mean "this page does not exist yet", and the others have text of about the same length. (For comparison, the installation instructions for Debian on Intel appear to be available in 15 languages, and all the ones I checked seemed to be complete. They're also genuine translations, not Babelfish-generated rubbish.) [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: s65_sean on Sunday, June 21 2009 @ 07:35 AM EDT

Here's what they'd have to do, two ways to get XP on an EeePC. Neither you nor the linked article mentioned the payment for licensing needed to get Windows XP installed onto a Linux Netbook. I just did a quick search, and the cheapest that I can find a new "full install" license for Windows XP(not an upgrade, as you would not be upgrading an earlier installation of Windows), is just under $100.00. [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 22 2009 @ 07:45 AM EDT

"Here's what they'd have to do, two ways to get XP on an EeePC. It's

unbelievably complicated, and I expect if the only way to get XP on a netbook

was this, XP would have about 1% of the market."



What, hasn't Microsoft heard of the Live CD?



Oh, right, then you could install Windows anywhere, and they would lose track of

where it was authorized to be installed.



(Knock up the side of my head)



It's all a matter of perspective. No wonder they have to twist the arms of the

vendors to keep MS as the only install.



It seems to me that a blatant squash of the Snapdragon should be grounds for a

new FTC investigation!!!! [ Reply to This | # ]



Authored by: Anonymous on Monday, June 22 2009 @ 08:04 AM EDT