|
Is
Linux an alternative to Windows?
Linux
holds a great promise for India’s cash strapped middle-class, small
companies and entrepreneurs, who would like to partake in the IT revolution
without the huge investment associated with equipping computers with
productivity software, writes MOHAN BABU
It was
fascinating to read about the red-carpet reception that the world’s richest
man, and the founder of veneered Microsoft Corporation, received on his
recent trip to India. He got to schmooze with the top echelons of Indian
government and business, winning everyone over with his promise of millions
of dollars through the Gates Foundation, and an equally impressive promise
of expanding Microsoft’s presence in India. Along with all the headlines
gushing over Microsoft’s honeymoon with India, it was easy for most of us to
have missed a small newswire article talking about the “real” reason for
Microsoft’s interest in India, and its interest in donating about 1,000
million dollars to equip Indian schools and colleges with Windows PCs and
systems. That article went on to add that contrary to Gates’ denial, the
real threat to Microsoft was from Linux, the “free” operating system that
started as one geek’s hobby, but is slowly gaining ground as a serious
platform. If the readers recall, this is a topic I had written about a few
months ago, and since then I’ve been receiving a lot of feedback on the
thriving Linux development in India.
Microsoft’s
trepidation over Linux is understandable. Most of the PCs sold by commercial
vendors today come bundled with one or the other types of Windows operating
system. Although vendors are generally tight-lipped about the cost of
operating systems they bundle as OEM (original installation), experts
estimate that it costs about $100 for each installation of Windows. If a
hundred dollars does not sound as a lot of money, one look at the number of
PCs sold in a year and it is easy to see why Microsoft is sitting on about
36 billion dollars in cash (even in this down market!).
Linux is
increasingly receiving focus from corporations like IBM, Sun and Oracle, who
have thrown their might around this nifty OS. A number of software vendors,
notably Red Hat, have taken upon themselves to package and support Linux for
users, including support for individuals and corporations alike. Recognising
customer demand, even PC-makers like Dell have started rolling out products
bundled with Linux (instead of Windows). What this means is that
customers—business users and individuals alike—increasingly have a choice of
operating system they want with their systems (and what they are willing to
pay for an operating system).
Until
recently, I was a regular Windows junkie, content to use the different
versions of the operating system, including Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP, et al.
Deciding to investigate and experience first hand the power of Linux, I
recently decided to go the whole nine yards by wiping out Windows from my
laptop. In its place, I installed Debian Linux that is a freeware.
A colleague,
and self-proclaimed Linux geek, Dave Everley, helped me fine-tune the
operating system, walking me through the configuration of sound, software,
modem, etc, and I was hooked. I spent the past week exploring the various
aspects of the OS; it helped that I was familiar with the different versions
of Dos, Windows, OS2, Unix and other operating systems. The question that
started fermenting in my mind was: If I could install and configure Linux
for free, why would I recommend that anyone go and pay Microsoft over
hundred bucks so that they could have the “pleasure” of using Windows?
Linux is
going global and even Indians are not too far behind. Recognising India’s
importance, Red Hat has been steadily expanding its offering in the Indian
marketplace. The operating system holds a great promise for India’s cash
strapped middle-class, small business and entrepreneurs, who would like to
partake in the information technology revolution without the huge investment
associated with equipping computers with productivity software. Opportunity
awaits companies in India that can customise and package the various
versions of freeware and productivity tools available for Linux
environments. By providing affordable software and systems, they will not
only be making money but also helping curb piracy, another big bane for
Indian software companies, thus killing two birds with one stone. The cost
of customising and maintaining the freewares available in the Linux world
are negligible and any entrepreneur who can invest in such a venture is
bound to reap long-term rewards. Companies that can provide “legal” versions
of operating systems, office productivity software and connectivity to the
Web at “nominal” prices are bound to make a killing.
|
