New article in the Economist criticizing Linux usability

[James Knott]

Lennart Sorensen wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 03, 2012 at 02:45:56AM -0400, charles chris wrote:
>> Linux needs to expand it's user base by allowing manufacturers of laptops
>> to load Linux on them.
>> Then there would be more support for Linux drivers especially for
>> peripherals like webcams, network and standalone printers.
> Until it becomes more profitable for them to do so, they won't.
>
> Too many companies are getting kickbacks for trialware on windows installs
> these days to the point where the cost of the license to microsoft is
> less than the kickbacks from norton, mcaffe, etc, possibly even the 30
> day trials of microsoft office you often see.
>
> There isn't any money in installing linux for them to make, so why bother.
>

Further, Microsoft has a history of using "strong arm" tactics against 
manufactures who dared to install other than Windows on PCs.  Read up on 
how they refused to license Windows 95 to IBM at the same rate as other 
manufacturers, as long as IBM sold computers with OS/2.  Or how they put 
bogus errors in Windows, when it was run on DR-DOS or per CPU licenses 
whether a computer was shipped with Windows or not.  It's a long list of 
what they've done to block competition.


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