Is Canonical Becoming The New Microsoft?

[Gryllida]

On Wed, Feb 10, 2010 at 4:39 PM, Michael Haney <thezorch at gmail.com> wrote:

>
> http://www.theopensourcerer.com/2010/02/09/is-canonical-becoming-the-new-microsoft/
>
> Saw this posted on Linux Today, today.  There are some points I agree
> with and some I don't.
>
> - Mono is one I agree with.  Micro$oft has neither done nothing nor
> shown any indication that it can be trusted.  They're expressed an
> supposed willingness to work with the Linux community, but at the same
> time turn around and call Open-Source a cancer and say other
> unflattering things behind our backs.  This in my mind is a serious
> mistake that shouldn't be overlooked or swept under the rug.  This has
> been argued over and over and over again for a while.  My opinion is
> M$ can't be trusted, so Its best on err on the side of caution and not
> incorporate Mono into Ubuntu by default.
>

I completely agree...

>
> - As for Proprietary Software, I believe Linux needs more commercial
> software support.  I'm not one of those die hard "everything must be
> open source" fanatics who seem to think they own the Linux Community.
> So what Ubuntu One is proprietary and so what there might be a Linux
> version.  One of bigger reasons why Linux in general gets little
> respect from mainstream uses is the lack of software from the big-name
> commercial developers, and Games are indeed high on that list.  Games
> drive the Home PC market, whether you want to admit it or not is
> irrelevant, and the lack of commercial game titles on Linux is one of
> the many forces holding it back from widespread acceptance.  I
> couldn't CARE LESS if my device drivers and applications are open or
> closed source as long as they WORK.  Wouldn't you like to have DVD
> playback software that actually works right the first time, or Linux
> ports of software which previously could only be run using Wine?
>

False. Open-source software is the basis of our existence. We use it, many
of us contribute. "Open-source" is a Big name, and "comfortable" is a Big
reason to use.


>
> - I don't see the benefit of dropping the GIMP and OOo from Ubuntu's
> default installation.


Neither do I. I think they should be included.


>  Its possible Canonical wants to make it so
> users get more of a choice in what graphics software and office suite
> they want to use, but when it comes to open-source graphics editing
> and productivity you can't do much than these two.


Maybe you can, but these are the basics. Many users don't know how to choose
and would be at complete loss. Imagine a Windows user who migrated to Linux
and doesn't know what Open Office is, and doesn't know where to search?
Complete loss of ground...


>  I'd like to know
> Canonical's real reasoning behind this move.  Of course, this doesn't
> mean you can't just go into the Software Center and download these
> which you can but not having them available immediately after
> installation can be troublesome.


Yes, especially for those who are completely new to computers, have bought a
DELL with Ubuntu on it  -- and don't know how to begin, using a computer for
the first time, etc.


>  A read an article that said Ubuntu
> dropping GIMP from the default installation in 10.04 was a sign of
> maturity.  I'd can bring myself to see it that way.
>

 Really sad that they will not be included...

>
> - Moving from Google to Yahoo as the default search engine.


God! They are mad!


>  This is
> probably the biggest of Canonical's boneheaded moves.  Google offers
> far richer services than Yahoo.


Yes, of course! Does Yahoo pay Canonical to advertise it?! No, that's a
wrong move...


>  Going the Yahoo route means getting
> in bed with Micro$oft and that alone is going to raise the ire of many
> a Linux Zealots.  Yahoo's search uses Bing, which they say is growing
> in usershare, but its not a significant amount compared to Google's
> usershare.  Now, Google has rolled out another new service called
> Google Buzz, a Facebook-like feature that works in Gmail!  What the
> hell is Canonical thinking?
>
> That's my opinion anyway.
>


I will not swoon after I install Ubuntu 10.4, as I will be prepared to these
awful changes. Thank you!


>
> /me puts on flame resistant suit.
>
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