Re: VIEWS compared to Nodes as Windows into data

In message <e4330f45.0405061418.184afa5a_at_posting.google.com>, Alfredo Novoa <alfredo_at_ncs.es> writes
>"Anthony W. Youngman" <thewolery_at_nospam.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
>news:<Y6XRF4CP7BmAFw6q_at_thewolery.demon.co.uk>...
>
>> >But integration with Crystal Reports and MS Office is essential for
>> >our products. Microsoft is very dominant in Spain and Linux is rare on
>> >the desktop.
>
>>
>> Extremedura linux, for example? (Hope I've got the spelling right, my
>> Spanish is non-existent :-) And I think there's a couple of others.
>
>Extremadura's local goverment is a little exception. And that's why
>you heared about it, due to the exceptionality of the case. The other
>16 regional goverments use Windows, and Extremadura is one of the
>least developed and least populated regions.

Actually, I got the impression that there were a couple of others ... that makes three out of sixteen ...
>
>The norm is that most companies don't want to hear about Linux.

Agreed :-( But again, it's beginning to look like "most" is in number terms. The few who are tend to be the medium-large boys here - one win in this sea is worth several hundred in the pool of small businesses.
>
>> If you want to make money, you need to PREDICT the wave and be there
>> BEFORE it arrives. I'd brush up on *desktop* linux (and fast) if I were
>> you...
>
>I am hearing that for a decade or so.

Mebbe. Except that now it seems quite likely.

I don't know what the current deal between MS and Sun is likely to do. But the fact is, if current trends continue, Windows and Linux are going to collide, HARD, in the next 18 months or so. The latest figures I heard were that last year (2003), Linux had 25% of the server market, and was growing at 50% per annum (up from a 35% growth in 2002).

Extrapolate that, and by mid 2005 Linux will have OVER HALF the server market. Given that Windows already has over half the market, we are entering the realms of mathematical impossibility ...

As the saying goes, "prediction is difficult, especially the future", but one of the two is likely to come away from the collision with a bloody nose. And I wouldn't bank on it being MS that escapes!

If MS is seen taking a trouncing in the server market, you can bet your bottom dollar that they'll very rapidly start taking a bath in the desktop market too. Those companies who already have linux servers will start rolling out desktops, and those companies that don't will investigate (and probably start rolling out, too).

Linux doesn't need to worry about the installed base, they can capture it later. But if linux gets its claws into the "new sale" market, then MS are in a fight for survival. And while an 800lb gorilla is an awesome foe, it's no match for a shoal of piranhas :-)
>
>IMO the only chance is the success of Mono or dotGNU, and in that case
>the port would be very easy.
>
Maybe ...
>
>Regards
> Alfredo

Cheers,
Wol

-- 
Anthony W. Youngman - wol at thewolery dot demon dot co dot uk
HEX wondered how much he should tell the Wizards. He felt it would not be a
good idea to burden them with too much input. Hex always thought of his reports
as Lies-to-People.
The Science of Discworld : (c) Terry Pratchett 1999