What Microsoft should do with Linux

Scobleizer: Microsoft Geek Blogger

Imagine this: What if Microsoft did what Apple or Sun Microsystems did. By recognizing that the value it provides is a user interface and cool software, albeit somewhat buggy, it could start concentrating on its strengths and leave the increasingly commodity stuff (the operating system) behind.

For example, Apple ditched its own operating system, adopted a free, open-source version of Unix, and built their user interface on top of it. Similarly, Sun is giving its latest operating system away for free, using an open-source license, and concentrating on what it does best: make great computers. Apple has certainly benefitted. Mac OS X is far more secure and easier to use than Windows, while it's too early to say if Sun (which has loads of other problems) will benefit.

Microsoft already does something like this with the Mac, and has for many years. It provides Microsoft Office for OS X, in a version that's more or less closely in synch with the software on Windows. The next version of Windows is supposed to depend for its user interface on a graphics system that could easily (I think) be moved to other operating systems. What if you were able to buy that interface, or parts of it, or Microsoft Office, or .Net or other Windows components for Linux or FreeBSD? Call it Microsoft Desktop, competing with, or building on, something like Gnome. The NT and CE base operating systems are very good.

I'm guessing that, after an initial period of some loss, Microsoft would end up with a net gain as it adds application sales on other operating systems, eliminates the suggestion that it is competing unfairly and puts the company in a far better position for the future. It will be able to take advantage of all sorts of advances in operating systems without having to steal it or develop all of it itself.

MoCo Loco: Hanse Colani Rotor House

MoCo Loco: Hanse Colani Rotor House

I'd live here. I wonder if it's easier or harder to keep something this small clean?

Progressive Libertarians

Progressive Libertarians

Chris Nolan makes a lot of sense. I could support a progressive libertarian agenda. Small government, fiscal responsibility *and* tolerance. Sounds good to me.

http://www.adamyoshida.com

http://www.adamyoshida.com

It's eerie reading stuff like the following, from a popular right-wing blog. It's like something from another planet. Have I really been out of the country *that* long? I actually liked Bush Sr. and I respected Reagan. I think Michael Moore is an over-the-top propogandist that sometimes makes watchable partisan documentaries. In short, I'm what I thought was a center-right person with an open mind.

What has the Republican party become? Curb-stomp the bastards? What the...

"My life’s goal is to see the Democratic Party virtually obliterated and left as a rump of people like Stephanie Herseth who both mostly agree with us anyways and are easy on the eyes. That’s the future of the Democratic Party: providing Republicans with a number of cute (but not that bright) comfort women."

"We’ve got their teeth clutching the sidewalk and out [sic] boot above their head. Now’s the time to curb-stomp the bastards."

"Those who didn’t support Bush can go and perform a certain anatomically impossible act. They lost, now they can sit in the back of the bus."

Oh my God.

With Echoes of 2000 Vote, Ohio Count Is at Issue

With Echoes of 2000 Vote, Ohio Count Is at Issue

Oh, come on. Concede already. The Democrats need to come up with a plan to convince truckers, farmers and waitresses in the Midwest that supporting tax cuts for millionaires isn't in their economic or political interest. Support from the cities and suburbs just isn't enough.

They just failed this time. Again.

Left, Right, Bush, Kerry

"Confused yet? You're not the only one."

Yes, I am a conservative. And the Republican party isn't.