The future of Ubuntu Linux.... Will it make Micro$oft go bankrupt?

[Amedee Van Gasse (Ubuntu)]

On Sun, May 10, 2009 02:42, Brittany wrote:
> Although it may sound ridiculous having to hear that Micro$oft went
> bankrupt because of a free Open Source Operating system such as Ubuntu...
> Is it really possible? I've noticed since my first experience
> with running Linux (Mostly Ubuntu) that it's getting progressively easier
> to use. You no longer have to be a geek (I said this in a complimentary
> way, no insults!) to use Linux.
>
> What's your opinion?

My opinion is that the name of that company is (or has been in the past)
"Micro Soft" (two words) or "MicroSoft" (CamelCase) or "Microsoft" (one
word). It's name is not Micro$oft with a dollar sign, just like that other
company isn't called Nov€££ (euro sign and two pound sigs).

Writing a monetary symbol in the name of a company is prejudice and brings
unwanted emotional arguments into the debate. It shows little respect for
a serious competitor for Linux in the operating system market, it is
childish behavior, and I doubt if it agrees with the Ubuntu Code of
Conduct.

If you want to discuss Microsoft, I suggest you do that in a professional
way, with reasonable arguments. The Linux community as a whole benefits
from a more professional attitude. Microsoft is not the Evil Empire, they
are a worthy adversary. Let's show them who is the best and give the
example. Or just ignore Microsoft if you are not capable of a professional
attitude.


About bankrupcy: I hope that Microsoft will never go bankrupt. That would
not be good for the economy and for the software ecology. I believe in a
darwinian struggle for software: continuous improval to be better than the
competition.
I would be much happier to see a Microsoft that adopts Open Standards, and
they are already taking very small steps in the good direction. Microsoft
may even have a majority market share, say somewhere between 60% and 70%.
That leaves enough room for other players like Linux, Mac, and of course
BSD, Solaris and other *real* Unixes.


Kind regards,

-- 
Amedee