09.06
It’s funny how the ‘capitalism is evil’ crowd hates on Microsoft so much for having what is essentially a socialist approach to sales. Something you’d think they’d be all over in approving of (or at least not have it in the top-10 of the talking points list).
Of course what I am referring to is the much maligned 6+ different version of Windows. Obviously there is no actual real difference between Home Basic and Ultimate, apart from a large amount of money. There are also little real technical differences between Server (prices from ~£700) and Home Premium (around £70).
Yet you have all these versions of essentially the same thing for wildly differing prices?
The reason for this is not everyone can afford Ultimate. Yet every version of Windows is Ultimate, essentially. So Microsoft has created a tiered system so that people who do not want to pay for Ultimate don’t have to. They disable some token features that you probably won’t need really as justification for this – Ultimate only has Bitlocker I think but TrueCrypt is free. So every time someone who feels they have to have the latest and greatest buys Ultimate they, by aggregate, lower the price for you buying Home Premium.
The differences with Server are even more massive – you are looking at a near 10x markup from MS for what is essentially removing arbitrary limits from Windows (booo hisss!) but if they didn’t limit the desktop editions like they do then guess what – there wouldn’t really be a market for Server. And you would be paying significantly more for your consumer editions if this were the case.
Personally I like to have choice and sure the artificial limits suck, but I’d rather they were in place and I could pay for what I need rather than being forced to pay top dollar for stuff I neither need nor want.
I like the new theme! Very nice. Now what you said is true. All of the versions of a Windows OS are basically the same besides a few, barely noticeable features. Vista Home Premium has a cool window switcher (it’s like Alt Tab, but I can’t remember the key binding) that Home Basic didn’t have. I’m not sure if Home Basic had Aero either, but I could very well be wrong on this.
And also, I have to do this: Why have Windows Server which costs a whole bunch of money, when Linux is available for free?!
But keep writing, I like to hear your opinion on things.
I think Vista deserved to be maligned for its version system. There were some oddities where some people wanted 1 or 2 features from pro and 1 or 2 features from business and as a result were forced into ponying up for Ultimate. I think for the most part, 7 corrects this by making all of the editions true supersets of each other.
However, ultimately, I see no reason for there to 6 different versions of windows all priced at $100+ for an upgrade. I think an important thing you forgot to mention is that everyone, including those people buying Home Basic are actually subsidizing markets that Microsoft is afraid to lose ground in. Take for instance that I, at university, can get Vista Ultimate for $32. I think that puts the whole argument somewhat on its head.
The other thing I’m curious about is how much R&D budget/effort it actually takes to strip out all of the features between Ultimate->Basic and ensure that all of the various tiers along the way still work correctly. I can’t help but feel that its a truly massive expenditure and we could all probably get OSes cheaper if there were only 2 or at most 3 versions.
It’s Windows+Tab – you need Aero enabled for it to work.
Also the old adage applies here ‘Linux is only free if your time is worth nothing’. Ask any business owner and they will tell you their main outlay is staffing costs. Anything which saves the workers time and increases productivity has a massive impact on the bottom line – Windows Server is dirt cheap when you do the calculations – this is why it appears to be so expensive.
Microsoft sinks billions of dollars into improving workflow and creating systems that can be developed for and maintained by people without the need for the massive initial training often required for Unix systems. People love to hate on them for this but ultimately it saves businesses money.
Linux does cost time, but after it’s all set up, you’ll rarely have to bother with it again. So now you have to reconsider: time or money?
“after it’s all set up, you’ll rarely have to bother with it again”
Says the 12 year old who head to on slashdot.
Every Linux installation needs babysitting. Why Linux/Unix is so popular in the IT world? For most applications Windows has better solutions, but it comes with a nasty feature. Every monkey can use it, so you lost your job. There was an old joke of Unix being a full employement act.
What about security patches? What about software upgrades, reinstallations, user management, hardware failure, and the 100′s of other things that can go wrong with a box? All it takes is one such problem and you would have easily spent the Windows license cost multiple times over in outcall and support fee’s.
Time *is* money.
“What about security patches? What about software upgrades, reinstallations, user management, hardware failure, and the 100’s of other things that can go wrong with a box?”
You have to worry about all of those things no matter what operating system you use. And “ya sure”. First of all, I’m 14, but my age doesn’t matter. Second, your post made no sense. And third, grow up!
“First of all, I’m 14, but my age doesn’t matter”
You sound more like 12… But like he probably meant, you heard so on slashdot, so it must be true!
And yes, you being 12 matters. It means you have
1) no idea what you’re talking about in general
2) are in that age group that thinks who knows better than everybody else
3) obviously never had a job in the IT field so even less of a clue what you’re talking about
4) never had a job period, so have no idea how most businesses actually work/are run.
But hey, you keep embarrassing yourself, it’s entertaining us all.
I’m really getting tired of all of the personal attacks. Just because I haven’t had a job in the IT field doesn’t mean I know nothing. And no, I’ve never had a job, but I’m in a Business Concepts class at school. I don’t think I know more than everyone else, but I do most definitely know more than you.
Everyone keeps insulting me. Do you guys even read what I post on my blog. I don’t know how many time’s I’ve said that Windows is an okay operating system. I don’t know how many times I’ve admitted that there are tons of idiots in the Linux community. But every apparently reads around this and just starts attacking me. I’ve had it.
Everyone keeps calling me immature. I’m not the immature one. It is the people who keep attacking me who are immature. People have said that I will have no life when I’m older. Well, it is evident that the people who keep insulting me have no lives. They sit behind their computers and bash a fourteen year old kid.
People have called me “stupid” with computers. I’d like to see them type out long PHP and MySQL code.
So, I’m going to, for the last time, ask you guys to stop with the insults. They’re really getting on my nerves.
Thomas B, you need to move on. I’ve followed the escapades regarding your supposed lack of skill with computers. Move on. Its the internet. Attempt to !@#$ measure will only result in your digging a deeper hole for yourself. For instance, anyone, given sufficient training, can ‘type out long PHP and MySQL code.’ If you have to go in for the nerd machismo, at least pick something impressive like x86 asm.
Even 12yo kids can do PHP. Hardly an impressive feat. It’s easy shit, even for n00bs.
Not that Thomas B has really proven anything regarding his PHP/MySQL proficiency either.
“but I do most definitely know more than you.”
And the guys posting at your pathetic blog whose posts you remove, and the guys here, and the guys on LH, and your parents, and basically everybody else. Yep. Just like he said.
One day you’ll grow up. Then perhaps you’ll understand.
If you actually have a *business need* for features like shadow copies, system backup or domain login then you can probably afford the additional price difference between business and ultimate if you want the home premium features.
One reason they make a business version is so they don’t have to pay the DVD codec fee for every copy. With Linux if you want a legal DVD codec you also have to pay more.
There are also little real technical differences between Server (prices from ~£700)
This is true but a lot of people don’t know about Server Web edition which is only $400.
You also have the same situation where if you have a *business need* for Server Enterprise as a percentage of operating costs the license is going to be minimal.
There are definitely cases where running a Linux server can save you money but I think it applies more to the small business owner or non-profit IT guy who doesn’t mind tinkering with software over the weekend. Once you start hiring people licensing costs can be thrown out the window. That’s because Nix support costs thousands more per person.
Sadly the IT world is filled with abm’r consultants that will always recommend linux on the server because “It’s free”. It’s free they say, now here’s your support bill.
Thomas B. , I have two piece of advice for you.
You said: “I don’t think I know more than everyone else, but I do most definitely know more than you”, talk about oxymoron… I understand you are just a kid, but for God’s sake, if everyone is attacking you, there is a reason. And those people are probably professional, they earn a living with computers. It’s pretty normal for a young computer geek to be involved with Linux, but believe me, for normal people (ahem, normal geeks) this is only a phase of life. You think are 1337 because you use CLI ? Well, in the 80′s even dumb blondes had to learn at least the basics command of DOS, but at the time it was necessary. It’s 2009 son, why a normal person has to fiddle around with the terminal to mount a usb pen?
If you want to really understand computers learn C, and then C++ / C#. Then you can move on with computer architecture/asm (learn how the CPU works etc…) .
This is the least common denominator of knowledge that a good programmer should now.
When I said “but I do most definitely know more than you” I meant to the commenter above me, not to every reader <_<.
Yes, you sure know more than one guy who PWNED you. Repeatedly.
And you can be sure of that, not having the slightest idea who he is, what he does, what he knows and so on.
But we understand, we all were 12 at some point.
“Just because I haven’t had a job in the IT field doesn’t mean I know nothing.”
You never having a job in any field mostly means you’re clueless about it. No, toying around in Ubuntu doesn’t actually make you knowledgeable. Most of us have more experience in IT than you’ve been alive for i.e. point 3.
“I’ve never had a job, but I’m in a Business Concepts class at school”
Which won’t actually give you any real-world insight about point 4. But then again, you’re just a kid, and you’re not expected to (that was the whole point)
“I do most definitely know more than you.”
Thanks for proving points 1 and 2
You’ll see the light when you get older and get some experience.
You guys need to grow up.
Kind of funny though. A kid who barely discovered OS’es and the CLI who thinks he’s something (and somehow, wonder why he’s being made fun of over and over again).
Most posters around here and LH have seen a LOT of different OS’es over the years. From early 8 bit stuff (wide range), to Macs (Apple II and forward), MS-DOS (yes, before Windows, imagine that!) and PC-DOS (and haven’t forgot about about in-ROM basic, desqview, 4dos, qemm, dos extenders, etc), Win 3.0 (if not earlier) up to Win 7, Novell Netware, OS/2 (2.1 and 4 were quite popular), with some minor exposure to others (VMS, Bayan VINES, various commercial UNIX variants, AS/400, …) and many, many more.
And nearly all of us spent considerable time on various Linux distros. Some of us who had high hopes for it at some point (it sounded great back in 1995, or when we first head about this GNOME thing almost a decade ago). Yet, as you can see we all moved on to greener pastures. We all know Linux is crap (it’s some of the worst crap I’ve ever seen), and it’s only getting worse as time passes. Band aid fixes on top of ugly hacks on top of outdated crap on top of piles of shit abstracting more garbage and so on. Minor annoyances get fixed now and then, but none of the real problems are ever addressed.
Forget about decent hardware support, non-shitty software, great games, good desktop environments and so on. 2010 won’t be the year of Linux on the desktop either.
What I thought made no sense is how my Vista Business has less functionality than Home Premium in the form of not including DVD codecs!
I still find it funny though, how the Linux Zealots complain about there being a few versions of Vista, but 30 versions of Ubuntu, and 18,000 versions of Linux is normal.
Also, I’m glad I stopped by and got to read all the comedic stylings of Thomas B! It’s also great to see him getting pwned in a forum in which he can’t scribble out everyone’s posts with his pixelated crayons.
I didn’t delete comments that made good sense. I deleted the one’s that were incredibly rude. Also, Mino, I am learning C++. And for like the fifth time, I’m not 12.
And finally, just because I like Linux more than Windows, does that automatically make me a Linux zealot? If it does, then all of you guys are Windows zealots, including the author of this blog. I have repeatedly admitted the faults of Linux and the Linux community, but as I said above, every apparently takes none of that into consideration before launching the personal attacks.
“And finally, just because I like Linux more than Windows, does that automatically make me a Linux zealot?”
When you look for a place like LH, read the posts, and stupidly post “Windows sucks!” there, and have a shitty blog based around Linux, and delete comments from everyone who knows better? Yes, very much so.
You can keep pretending you’re not 12…
Well, at least all of this is bringing tons of hits to my blog.
Why have Windows Server which costs a whole bunch of money, when Linux is available for free?!
Here’s a short list of features important to every business larger than 5 employees that Linux does not handle or handles poorly:
* Network user management
* Network computer management
* Network software installation
* ACLs
* Collaboration
Like jerkface says, Linux isn’t totally useless in the workplace, but it’s best suited to old-hat server side stuff, like backup servers, web servers, and mail gateways and usually only in smaller businesses with an unusual amount of available technical expertise.
Yeah, that’s why Google uses Windows… oh wait!
Yeah, that’s why Google uses Windows… oh wait!
They probably do to run their office networks.
Keep dreaming xDDD!!!!!!!
You do realize what Google runs is a proprietary platform descended from some 90s Linux version, right? And that customized platform on which they run their search engine has absolutely no bearing on what their office workers use?
you guys not understand linux devlopement model. linux community dont get payed. linux community all volanter. how about not bitch about linux instead find feeturs you want and use. then contribute to community like model say.
Thomas B, don’t you let haters sadden. they not undersstand power linux. keep learn advancing php program and contribute to community.
“you guys not understand linux devlopement model. linux community dont get payed. linux community all volanter. how about not bitch about linux instead find feeturs you want and use. then contribute to community like model say.”
Because unlike you freetards, we don’t give our work away for free?
Selling software not community better make. Free software to everyone available for use educational. Don’t be greed.
LinuxLover. Is your lack of typing skills intentional?
It’s Open English. Just as good as english (or so they say), except it’s Free.
You must be stupid for not liking or using it! Why are you choosing the slavery of regular english over the Freedom of open english?
Sorry I not good english learn. Sorry deslexic I too.
[...] the middle class and businesses demand for software – after all Microsoft already has socialist pricing for this very reason – you would make software more expensive. Software is a purely capital [...]
@Thomas B
On the internet, any comment or posting you makes can live forever. You made certain comments and, unfortunately, you are going to have to live with the fact that people are not forgetting them as quickly as you would like.
And then there is the problem of what psychologists call “Primacy Of Affect” or, amongst laymen, “First impressions are the most important”. If you consider your earliest comments – the ones which first brought you any attention – in light of this psychological doctrine, you will understand that it might take you some time to live down some of the things that you said, as the first impression you made was not really all that great. Be this inconvenient, unfortunate, or otherwise, it makes no difference; it was your own doing, even if you did not really know what the repercussions could eventually be. And it is not as though you are a big name in the FOSS movement whose “defection” would have some larger and newsworthy meaning.
The only thing which I can tell is that you should learn that your words can follow you around for longer than you want, and not to over-rate your own expertise, especially as regards any part of it gotten via books or school. Because as someone once said, “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice, but in practice, there is.”