Posted on 12/10/2005 6:41:44 PM PST by Halfmanhalfamazing
Apple Computer has quietly voiced its concerns about the growing threat it faces from Linux in the desktop market.
The Californian manufacturer's concerns emerged in its Form 10-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission late last week. The 10-K is an annual report on the company's business, and an effective disclaimer on factors that may affect the company's future performance
(Excerpt) Read more at linuxinsider.com ...
To think that Linus Torvalds is the only person who uses a linux-only mac is insanity. It may not be much, but apple is losing users too.
ping
when reality sets in.......................
When the Open Source movement puts out clean, functional software that isn't badly imitative or formerly commercial (Netscape/Mozilla, StarOffice/OpenOffice.org) then they'll be worth talking about. Just compare "The GIMP" to Photoshop and try to contain your laughter. Or Microsoft Office and OpenOffice.org, AbiWord, KOffice, etc. I'm sorry, but Firefox's latest release was a step back for a once very promising product.
There are two different companies who have estimated linux having greater userbase than MacOS.
Based on Apple's estimates, they have roughly 25 mil.
Based on various estimates, there are 28 mil linux users.
^^^^^^^^^To whom? Amiga?^^^^^^^^^^^
You obviously didn't even read the article. In apple's own words, it's worried about the larger windows market(rightfully so) and the *growing* linux market.
That's something that until lately apple hasn't done, in the computer arena. But linux keeps growing. So they very much have reason to worry.
"...onslaught of linux..."
Er...okay.
Basing this on the 10-K? LOL - that's where you stick every single thing that could possibly go wrong, up to and including meteor strikes and global thermonuclear war, so as to cover your butt later on. That doesn't mean that they really think meteors are a serious threat to the bottom line ;)
"Over the past several years, price competition in the market for personal computers and related peripherals has been particularly intense as competitors who sell Windows and Linux-based personal computers have aggressively cut prices and lowered their product margins for personal computing products," the company said.
More over the Linux community creates applications that run on Apple, both my wife and I use NeoOffice and FireFOx on our Mac's so I don't get this part
Moreover, the company expressed concern that to the extent its minority market share has caused software Get your FREE Oracle Database Software Kit today! developers to question Apple's prospects in the PC space, developers could be less inclined to develop software for Apple products,
Nobody says... hey I think I will develop a Linux program and not port it to BSD if Apple does not get software aimed at it its solely because of Windows..
But sure heck warn us about the great Linux boogie man..
And *if* there were a third major player out there Apple would also be worried about them! The article is zero substance..
lol.....
you like that eh?
Basing it not just on the 10-k. Apple is a niche player who overcharges for their product. With an absolute free alternative out there they have almost as much reason to be worried as microsoft does. Apple has a much more loyal userbase than windows does, so they won't lose people nearly as fast as microsoft does, but if you take a look around price is in important factor to *alot* of people.
Your first quote had little to do with applications and all about pricing.
With as expensive as macs are, they have a real reason to be worried about a free alternative. Surely you can see that.
Besides, apple is known for cutting off support(g4 machines that are purposely locked out of OS9 is a good example) a little earlier than they should.
Your second quote, apple has the leg up.
Alot of devs won't bother with linux until it's got double if not triple the userbase that apple has, precisely because of who it is that's using linux and the availability of OSS apps. Most linux apps are ready for day to day use, and these companies don't have any reason to jump in. Though we'll see, the future is an untold place.
^^^^^^^^^^^And *if* there were a third major player out there Apple would also be worried about them!^^^^^^^^
Many a mac user have told me that apple has zero to worry about with regard to linux.
So they are just as hurt by Solaris then? Besides, apple is known for cutting off support(g4 machines that are purposely locked out of OS9 is a good example) a little earlier than they should.
Ummm my mother was running here OS9 apps along side her OSX upgrade for a good long while. And this has nothing to do with Linux?
Alot of devs won't bother with linux until it's got double if not triple the userbase that apple has, precisely because of who it is that's using linux and the availability of OSS apps. Most linux apps are ready for day to day use, and these companies don't have any reason to jump in. Though we'll see, the future is an untold place.
You left out the most important part... Almost every Linux app out there runs on OSX so developing for one hit the other..
Right now I honestly think that they dont have to worry about Linux. Im an RHCE and my desktop at home is OSX..
No news to me, I've been warning people about this for a long time. All U.S. software products are going to suffer, as the socialists and U.N. push freeware down everyone's throats. And why wouldn't they, it's the perfect way to destroy the current U.S. software advantage.
^^^^^^^^So they are just as hurt by Solaris then?^^^^^^^^^^
LOL.... Solaris isn't ahead of MacOS with regard to users.
ok
^^^^^^^^All U.S. software products are going to suffer, as the socialists and U.N. push freeware down everyone's throats.^^^^^^^^^^
You still pushing that garbage?
US software products have been suffering for years under MS' anticompetitive measures. Had they not been so overbearging with regard to those who *tried* to enter the market, OSS wouldn't be so appealing as... the obvious benefits that competition brings.
Windows is swiss cheese because MS doesn't have much competition to force their hand to actually fix it, IE6 has been an utter joke for the longest time for the same reason...
Until now. If it weren't for OSS XP users would not be seeing IE7. That was originally supposed to be for Vista only.
If Linux were owned by one company, MS would've crushed it like it has so many others.
They brought this upon themselves. And apple is not much different. The only reason my pop has stuck with apple is because their product is so different, he likes the feel. But it was he who turned me on to their ways which IMHO are even worse than MS's. They deserve it too.
Ahh but mac is pushing servers now, Solaris has a better market share there...
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