worms worms worms

[Alma J Wetzker]

> Collins Richey <erichey2 at comcast.net> Sat, 16 Aug 2003 09:21:20 -0600
>
>On Sat, 16 Aug 2003 08:57:12 -0500
>"David A. Bandel" <david at pananix.com> wrote:
>
>>I know a lot of folks who don't want to patch their computers because
>>some of these patches come with changed EULAs they don't want to
>>accept.
>> Unfortunately, they also can't change over to Linux because some
>>programs they use/need are only written for M$.  Catch-22.  Isolating
>>these systems off-network is also not an option since many folks need
>>to share the hundreds of files used by these systems with  offices in
>>different countries.  Basically, they're screwed and just have to make
>>do.  So they spend thousands hoping the anti-virus folks can keep up
>>(which they can't).  A really lamentable situation.
>>
>
>The essential situation is this.  Using M$ products is a recipe for
>disaster (when will the latest worm strike again?), in spite of the fact
>that some of the products provide a useful function that is frequently
>more user friendly than almost equivalent open source products.  So how
>does one convince users that they need to look for ways to divest
>themselves of the products they feel (some truth, some ignorance) they
>cannot do without?
>
>There are solutions in most cases, but most users are so locked into the
>M$ mentality that they won't even make the effort.

I agree with the sentiment but the reality is much harsher.  Most linux 
apps just aren't up to their windoze counterparts.  This is especially 
true for personal productivity apps.  The server stuff is much closer.

The cogent argument for change doesn't address busines use.  There is 
LOTS of custom code running in busines.  The life span of that code is 
15 - 20 years.  Converting to C/Java/Perl/Python/??? is a huge 
undertaking and has no busines payoff.  It also halts improvements for a 
year or two.  No busines on the planet can afford that in todays market. 
  And heaven help the companies that have gone to outsourcing, they have 
effectively zero say in infrastructure decisions.

The only true option to pursue for linux desktop adoption is to continue 
  interoperability plans with the M$ network du jour (com, dcom, 
.net...) and start building functionality into linux friendly 
architectures.  It requires long term thinking and a dedication to the 
strategy.  It also requires better personal productivity apps.

We still have a long way to go before linux is a viable choice for a 
busines desktop.

     -- Alma