Daily Bits

Software

Have You Prepared for the Roaring Snow Leopard

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Tomorrow, millions of Mac users will start receiving copies of the latest Mac OS X dubbed the Snow Leopard. It was not supposed to come out until September, but it seems that Apple has heard the excitement of Mac users and so decided to start shipping the Snow Leopard Installation Disc to those who have pre-ordered the OS. [Read more…] about Have You Prepared for the Roaring Snow Leopard

Google Chrome OS, Why it Will Not Be a Windows XP Killer

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First the facts – Google has officially announced its latest and most over-hyped project yet – the Chrome OS. Google Chrome OS is touted as an open source ang lightweight OS specifically geared for netbooks. Google will be launching it in partnership with netbook manufacturers. And Google Chrome was built upon the Google Chrome platform,  or in other words it is basically Google Chrome running on its own withouth Windows XP or Vista.

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Seven Things to Remember Before You Download, Install Windows 7 RC

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True to previous news, Microsoft has finally made Windows 7 Release Candidate available for download to anyone, anywhere, and until July 2009. Yes, you read the last part correctly, Microsoft is extending the days when you can download the biggest update to our be.loved Windows OS.  So this means that you don’t have to rush up on trying to download the Windows 7 today. Chances are you’ll be annoyed at how slow the process is going to take due to the outburst of users wanting to download the software. But if you insist in having  it today, you might want to read 7 important things to remember before you download Windows 7. [Read more…] about Seven Things to Remember Before You Download, Install Windows 7 RC

Windows 7 To Kill Linux on Desktop? Oh Really?

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As Microsoft keeps working on the development of Windows 7, I am starting to hear all sorts of reviews and feedback. Most people that tried it are happy with the OS, I won’t deny that. But then another day I came across an article on The Inquirer titled Windows 7 is enough to kill Linux on the desktop.

I didn’t want to be a basher, so I took the time to read it despite getting annoyed by the title.

So what are the arguments of the author? Basically he says that Windows 7 is somewhat stable, has some nice graphics, and also runs fine with open source applications. Then, and don’t ask me how on Earth, the guy concludes that given those factors, user friendly Linux distributions like Ubuntu won’t be worthwhile anymore.

Say what?

I do believe that Windows 7 will be an improvement for Microsft. After all they are launching an OS after Vista, so it is not like it would be too hard to achieve that…

Regardless, I don’t see Windows 7 removing the main two advantages that Linux has over Windows, even if you consider desktop users.

One: Linux is open source, and therefore free and supported by the community
Two: Linux is one of the most secure desktop operating systems out there

If you then consider the fact that with each new release most Linux distros are also getting very user friendly and graphically appealing, well, I don’t see how Windows 7 is going to hurt it.

Now I am not arguing that Linux on desktop is mainstream, or that it will become anytime soon. But you can’t deny that is does have its market, and its market share (albeit small) has been growing steadily.

I wonder why that guy has not checked the numbers, in fact.

The W3Counter reports that in May 2007 1,26% of the Internet users from around the world were using Linux as their OS. In December 2008 this number is up to 2,13%, with a growth of almost 70%.

The overall number might not seem big, but Apple’s OS X is not far away, with 5,24% of market share.

If anything, therefore, Linux is growing steadily, and I don’t think Windows 7 will change this pattern.