"HP to Put Linux in Printers and PCs: It's the End of an Era for Windows" was the title ofExecutive Director Jim Zemlin's post, and it was that last bit -- "end of an era for Windows" -- that fairly leapt off the virtual page for Linux Girl.
"For Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) -- who was nowhere at this event -- that has got to hurt," Zemlin added. "Perhaps this really IS the year of the Linux desktop."
Now, Linux Girl is in no hurry to get into another "year of" debate -- her bruises are still healing from the last one. But the idea of the Windows era coming to a close was an irresistibly intriguing one. She strapped on her snowshoes and headed down to the blogosphere's Broken Windows Lounge to learn more.
It's significant that none of HP's new devices will run Microsoft Office, "the 'One True Cash Cow,'" Hudson pointed out. "And while Microsoft makes a big advertising push about 'to the cloud,' this same net-centric model removes the need for MS Office compatibility, or even Windows, making WebOS a viable product."
Meanwhile, given the way Android is "crushing the competition" in the smartphone arena, "there's no reason to believe that tablets won't be a repeat," Hudson concluded. "And with WebOS, HP is going to be able to tell both businesses and consumers, 'You can have the same OS on all your devices.' The only difference is that OS will no longer be Windows."
On second thought, she added, "there is another big difference: even ordinary computer users who don't want to shell out for a Mac can ignore those 2 million Windows viruses."
'That Has Got to Hurt'
"HP announced that it is going to ship WebOS not only in phones, tablets and printers, but in PCs as well," Zemlin wrote. "In doing so, the world's largest PC supplier is indicating that they are going to ship PCs without Windows."For Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) -- who was nowhere at this event -- that has got to hurt," Zemlin added. "Perhaps this really IS the year of the Linux desktop."
Now, Linux Girl is in no hurry to get into another "year of" debate -- her bruises are still healing from the last one. But the idea of the Windows era coming to a close was an irresistibly intriguing one. She strapped on her snowshoes and headed down to the blogosphere's Broken Windows Lounge to learn more.
'Those 2 Million Windows Viruses'
Similarly, "Microsoft would like people to believe this is just the end of the beginning, but it really is the beginning of the end," concurred Barbara Hudson, a blogger on Slashdot who goes by "Tom" on the site. "HP sells a LOT of computers, and HP making a linux-based WebOS available on everything from smartphones to tablets to desktops is going to give it some decent 'shelf space.'"It's significant that none of HP's new devices will run Microsoft Office, "the 'One True Cash Cow,'" Hudson pointed out. "And while Microsoft makes a big advertising push about 'to the cloud,' this same net-centric model removes the need for MS Office compatibility, or even Windows, making WebOS a viable product."
Meanwhile, given the way Android is "crushing the competition" in the smartphone arena, "there's no reason to believe that tablets won't be a repeat," Hudson concluded. "And with WebOS, HP is going to be able to tell both businesses and consumers, 'You can have the same OS on all your devices.' The only difference is that OS will no longer be Windows."
On second thought, she added, "there is another big difference: even ordinary computer users who don't want to shell out for a Mac can ignore those 2 million Windows viruses."
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