European governments are becoming more and more discouraged by the American giant Microsoft and are looking for an alternative to improve their role in the software industry. Many consider Linux as having the best chance to improve that role because of its European base. A number of large cities in Europe have already begun to switch to Linux. In an article written in Business Week, the author writes that Microsoft has launched an offensive to keep European governments from switching to the Linux operating system by discounting up to 35% to stay with Windows. Mircosoft has set up a website which contains statements from customers and problems that have been found in the Linux operating system. One problem that many companies are facing in deciding whether to switch to Linux is the cost to train their employees on the new system, and many notice the savings by sticking with Microsoft.
The fact the European governments want an increased role in the software industry is understandable. They see the American-base company as a monopoly and want a share of it. Microsoft shows that it will do what it takes to maintain its dominant position by discounting and continuing to be the leader in the innovation.
3 comments:
Microsoft had such a long period of unbridled dominance in the software industry (particularly operating systems, but thanks to anti-trust settlements they need to keep a solid hold on all clients. They are going to great lengths to maintain any customer accounts.
I find it troubling that certain firm's and governments that Microsoft has always been there for, would just jump ship and go to a considerably lesser successful competitor. Linux is constantly trying to play catch-up with Microsoft and I think that it is unfortunate that some people only look at the bottom line instead of looking at all applicable ramifications that such a change would warrant.
-1 on Jake's post for spelling mistakes.
I'll be frank: this is bigotry masquerading as economics.
There may be many reasons to prefer Linux to Windows, and vice-versa. But when you see that sort of preference focused on a geographic area without a reasonable business motivation there is a problem.
My guess is that this is being subsidized in some way by European Union's bureaucrats in Brussells. I'm very suspicious when I see that it is government organizations that appear to be leading the way.
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