Linux vs Windows - Conquering a Windows Based World

Verizon has just announced that Linux will be its mobile operating system of choice, and will start delivering Linux based phones in 2009.  Kyle Malady, vice president of networks, also states that this does not preclude  Verizon from selling phones based on other OS’s, notably the Google Android and Blackberry. A quote from My Malady.

“We’re not adopting Linux to the exclusion of others, and will continue to support an agnostic approach, which is best for customers,” 

I am a current Verizon customer and have been very pleased with the existing service and Blackberry phone.  I can’t wait till 2009 to try out the new Linux-based phone!

The Google phone will not be hardware, but in fact an open source mobile Linux OS. It is built on the open Linux Kernel. It will be a complete set of software for mobile devices along with a (Software Developer Kit) SDK that will be released November 12.

What is amazing is now we could see a boom in handset functionality and features that would have never been possible before. In fact, it brings the technology to the developers and removes the control from the big carriers and phone manufacturers. I don’t believe that any company other then Google could have pulled it off.

“Android breaks down the barriers to building new and innovative applications. For example, a developer can combine information from the web with data on an individual’s mobile phone — such as the user’s contacts, calendar, or geographic location — to provide a more relevant user experience. “

In a stunning move Misys, a global software and services company,  has announced that it will make its Misys Connect health care solution available to the open source community.  Misys is a market leader in the health care industry serving more than 110,000 physicians in 18,000 practice locations and 600 home care providers.

Mike Lawrie, Misys plc Chief Executive said:  Making Misys Connect available to the open source community is an innovative way to connect healthcare communities and advance the improvement of patient outcomes, which is critical to addressing some of the systemic issues in the U.S. healthcare market today.” 

I have a feeling the Misys Healthcare has just established its leadership in the software health care industry for the next decade. Congratulations guys!

In a poll just released by Barracuda Networks, IT Professionals trust in open source software is roughly the same as proprietary vendors for applications with similar functionality.

“The OSS option actually had a small lead in the survey results, with 53 percent expressing a preference for open source versus 47 percent opting for commercial solutions.”

The reasons IT professionals favored open source over proprietary software:

• 80% for price
• 57% for availability of code
• 41% for community code reviews

The reasons IT professional favored proprietary software over open source:

• 65% quality of support
• 47% ease of adoption
• 47% automated software updates

Interesting poll, I can certainly see the arguments for both sides. I guess what matters most is that consumers now have a viable choice.

IBM has announced that it will be joining the OpenOffice.org community by making initial code contributions that it has been developing for Lotus Notes, as well as ongoing contributions.   Should also be noted that IBM will be dedicating around 35 programmers to the effort.

“IBM is very pleased to be joining the OpenOffice.org community. We are very optimistic that IBM’s contribution of technology and engineering resources will provide tangible benefits to the community membership and to users of OpenOffice.org technology around the world,” said Mike Rhodin, General Manager of IBM’s Lotus division.

Norway has the opened the first in a series of centers across the country to help business and government agencies adopt and benefit from open source software. The first was opened in Drammen near Oslo.

 Norwegian companies, organizations, and government can profit from increased use of Open Source. Business managers can increase the revenue of their companies by using Open Source software in their operations

Yes, you read the headline correctly.  The same company that once called Open Source a “cancer” now embraces it, and in fact has opened a site to tout their commitment to Open Source. Still don’t believe it.

“By embracing diverse application development approaches and partner business models, Microsoft participates in a world of choice in which individuals and organizations can pursue their goals based on what uniquely inspires them, including open source.”

So if open source and Linux are cancers that erode value in the world, why does Microsoft now support it?

Sounds like Walmart will be selling a sub $300 Ubuntu Linux PCs later this year.

“Everex announced yesterday that Wal-Mart will carry its GC3502 PC. Today, an unidentified reliable source close to the company revealed that Everex is readying a version preloaded with Ubuntu Linux”

Talk about hitting mainstream.

According to a survey by Ingres, 77% of businesses in the UK have already deployed or are planning to deploy open source software in their business. Top reasons for switching are

• reduced costs
• adding value to business
• keeping lights on

“The report found that the versatility and adaptability of the open source model is allowing companies to eliminate historic vendor lock-in, reduce database management costs and rapidly develop critical business applications, including Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing and CRM solutions. ”

Intel has just started an open source software project for mobile devices. The MOBLIN project.

The Moblin project comprises a Linux kernel, UI framework, browser, multimedia framework, and embedded Linux image creation tools, along with developer resources such as documentation, mailing lists, and an IRC channel.

Oh and BTW all projects are focused on Intel Architecture.