The other day a friend sent me an email about his thoughts on Linux vs. Microsoft. I had a good laugh. He went on talking about how Linux is putting pressure on Microsoft, and how it's a good thing when anything or anyone puts pressure on Microsoft Well, he started a company and what software is his business using? Oh you guessed it. Microsoft! I had to tell him that I agree Linux is putting pressure on Microsoft, but the only way Microsoft feels pressure is when your assigned Microsoft Representative calls or comes knocking at your door, and you say sorry old fella I put the crack pipe down, saw god, and you're not getting my money... bitch (slam or click)! I swear to god the next button that Microsoft Representative hits will be speed dial button on their cell phone to call back to the mother ship in Redmond's and scream like a baby about what's just occurred. That's true pressure put on Microsoft. Stop the money, and the game has changed in a very big way.

Let's face the facts the economy is getting tough. I have to push my way every day through a swarm of unemployed web masters just to get to work. Well interesting enough, I just read Amazon cuts costs with Linux. Yeah, before you start bad mouthing Amazon, read the sentence again. When the times get tough, the tough look to Linux! Amazon is looking to make a profit, not Amazon is looking to make Microsoft a profit. Amazon is using Linux on standard PCs. Wow! Maybe other companies are going to follow the leader. Imagine all the money IBM could save if they got rid of Microsoft and went with Linux (a few dollars)? Of course the president and all his buddies would never remove their mouth from Bill's cock. Here is IBM talking about Linux trying to make you and I buy into their Linux solutions and everywhere you look at IBM you see Microsoft's OS. It does not make sense. IBM should go ABM (Anything But Microsoft)! I could shoot myself in the foot on this one, but I'll bet Sun isn't using Microsoft as an OS in the company? Here is something else to think about Amazon's web site is hosted on Linux servers and use the Stronghold Web server, which is a modified security-enhanced version of the Apache. Yes you can use Linux for an Enterprise solution.

When people refer to the Linux movement or the Linux revolution don't refer to it as free. Todd Anderson, Sam Ockman, Chris Peterson, Larry Augustine, and Eric Raymond who coined the term "Open Source" wanted to take the "Free" out of open source. Freeware and Shareware doesn't come with any source code, is generally written by one person, and is free only in that you can get the software for free (you'll pay in other ways). In today's economy, users care about the total cost of ownership. Users care about reliability, flexibility, and ease of use, which are all part of the total cost of ownership. Don't get me wrong I don't want to be a politician, I want the reader to do a little research, use a little common sense, and make a choice. As for the Open Source movement it's amazing how much quality software is out there. Investigate it. Live it. Participate in it. Feel the freedom.

What I am getting at? Well here is the punch line. No matter how you bitch about Linux vs. Microsoft the truth of the matter is you have to pay for Microsoft. You have to pay all the time a whole lot of money, time and frustration. Yeah there might be some bumps on the Linux highway but it's Open Source. I know there are individuals who will bitch to high heaven, but read my lips it's Open Source.

Here is something I'd like everyone to try, blow away your Microsoft boxes and install Linux, and for six months use Linux. Enjoy the Open Source movement and I know you will not switch back to what ever you were using before you made the switch to Linux. My final words are and you can quote me on this. No matter how hard you argue, bitch, or curse me ... It's fucking Open Source!

Oubug (CycoManiac!)