Linux may lose its chance of competing with Microsoft after the 64bit revolution gets underway

[Robert Brockway]

On Sat, 26 Aug 2006, Kush wrote:

> This is a sobering scenario.

Hi Kush.  I didn't find it particularly concerning.  Various "last chance 
to grab the desktop" dates have been predicted in the last few years by 
lots of different organisations and people.

The argument that the change from 32bit to 64bit is a chance to topple the 
dominant platform isn't a strong one as right now the change is going so 
seemlessly that few are even noticing it.

To me the idea of any "last chance" to get the desktop is a bit silly. 
40 years ago the "desktop" as we understand it today didn't even exist. 
The desktop (circa 2006) will probably be found only in history books in 
40 years.  Who knows what computer interfaces will be like in even 20 
years, let alone 40.

To me the key is to keep working towards acceptance of open source 
software and open standards.  IMHO a collapse of OSS would have very grave 
implications for societal freedoms in the future.  We are so dependent on 
data held within computer systems that to allow control to fall to a 
select few is very dangerous.

You see I am far more concerned with how the law interprets freedoms and 
knowledge and how that relates to OSS than I am to any specific 
technologies like the GUI circa 2006.

Cheers,

Rob

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