Slightly OT: Must Linux buy its way onto the desktop?

[Mike McCarty]

taharka wrote:
> Feb. 08, 2006
> 
> As you may know, Google is close to making a deal with Dell in which the
> search giant will get to preinstall its software package on Dell PCs.
> What you may not know is that Google may be spending a billion dollars
> over three years for the privilege.

Why should I care? (This is a serious question, not irony.)

> Full story at; http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS2572482759.html
> 


[QUOTE MODE ON]

What does that have to do with Linux? Everything.

Microsoft may say that what ends up on the desktop is all about having 
the best products, but that's hooey. I don't say that as a Linux 
supporter, I say that as someone who knows how the desktop market works. 
Most users, I'd say 80 percent, stick with what comes on their desktop. 
Period.

I know this. Microsoft knows this. Everyone in the desktop business 
knows this, even though we may disagree on the exact numbers.

So, the real way to win the desktop, as I've long said, is to get Linux 
on it before a user ever sees it.

[QUOTE MODE OFF]


Is "winning the desktop" (whatever that may be) a goal? For me?

I guess I just don't understand the big picture or sth. This just
looks like more "I hate MicroSoft" propaganda than anything worthwhile.

Could someone explain why this is important?

Mike
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