Is there anyone developing or trying to develop an OS to rival Microsoft? I'm starting to get paranoid about MS being the far removed leader of OS software. I don't want to sound like a conspiracy nut, but if there WERE some kind of desire to track and watch many, many Americans by some agency or group, wouldn't Microsofts Vista be the perfect tool, with its top secret op code and selectively secure kernel? And on top of that, their ever increasing control on whos 3rd party software can work on their newer OS is bordering on communism. Is now not the time, the WINDOW of opportunity for another developer to release a competitive and open-source OS on a national scale and sweep the market right out from under Mr. Gates feet?
p.s. Please respond to entire paragraph, if possible.
2007-03-08 09:55:49 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Security
No one who tries would have a chance they buy off their
compeition or stomp on them you have to be one big cat
to take on Microsoft.
2007-03-08 10:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rival operating systems: Various Linux flavors, Mac OSX, various UNIX flavors (note: Sun recently released opened Solaris)
Tracking usage: Microsoft has already shown that they can collect anonymous statistics. If the OS doesn't contain a more advanced capability, pushing it out through an update would certainly be possible. Now as to the likelihood, I guess it depends how thick your tin foil hat is. DRM certainly is a step in controlling how you use the computer but it could be more from pressure by media producers than Microsoft.
Top secret op code and selectively secure kernel: You can obtain access to the source code. Universities, companies, and government agencies have already done this. It might be prohibitively expensive for an individual but I'm sure it could be done with the right amount of resources at your disposal.
3rd party software control: They aren't locking people out, but they aren't exactly inviting 3rd party vendors in, particularly where MS has their own product. This is just more of the monopolistic practices the company keeps paying the "get out of jail card" fines for. Until the fines are prohibitively expensive, this practice will continue. About the only option at this point should be to split the Microsoft OS from the Microsoft Application and require the application portion to go through the same hurdles that any other company would go through.
You might want to follow some of the changes that could have an impact on the MS behemoth. Check out the Open Document Format that is being required by some states/agencies. This competes directly with Microsoft's Open Office XML Format that MS is trying to rush through a standards body. Another is the EU fining MS for continuing its monopolistic tactics.
2007-03-08 10:12:31 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Maryland 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Microsoft is a good business, they make a lot of decisions that ensure their survival as 'top dog'. However, I am positive that some day we will see then end of them.
I'm sure that someone is trying to take over for them. The fact is that Microsoft is such a HUGE thing, and replacing Windows would include getting all the companies to stop using it and switch to their OS. (like Microsoft did to Apple)
So, it wont happen fast and it wont happen for a while. But, when it does, I will be happy. Until then, I use Windows strictly because of it's capability to do everything I want.
As for the government watching us, they do, and always will, no matter what. It's only going to get worse. People have a right to be paranoid, the government is a very scary and powerful thing.
2007-03-08 10:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by john 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The new and rising operating system is Linux - there is no doubt at all about that. Mac is great, but because Macs are so expensive, Macs are not expanding that rapidly. Linux comes in over a hundred different types, with lightweight fast versions for older PCs and musclebound full-featured ones for new PCs. Linux has a huge advantage - it's free.
Because Linux is open source, you can inspect EVERY line of code to check for FBI/CIA back doors & trapdoors. Vista is very worrying as an OS for the reason you state - the code is hidden. Nobody really knows what's in there.
Thankfully, using Linux is very easy - it can be installed on most (but not all) computers. There's no doubt that Hollywood's control of DRM (digital rights management) is getting much worse, and Microsoft have implemented full strength DRM in Vista. DRM is a very sinister technology, as you will discover if you research it in depth.
Americans have been watched by their government for decades - it's really nothing new.
The best Linux is PCLinuxOS - so dive into the Linux pool... the water's warm, there are no sharks, and a host of friendly geeks are waiting to help you get started.
http://www.pclinuxos.com
2007-03-08 10:24:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are a lot of other systems out there : Linux, Mac, Solaris (developed by Sun Microsystems), BSD, you name it. I personally use Linux myself.
About that whole conspiracy thing, pay close attention to what you believe. If it sounds like something out of a Tom Clancy novel (ie the bit about NSA having a backdoor in XP) its most likely BS. Digital Rights Management (DRM) and Trusted Computing (TC) are both realities, though, and they can do a lot of damage to personal computing - not just in business but in consumer's rights.
"Selectively secure" ... not once have I ever known a Microsoft system to be secure. The only security they practice is hiding everything from the user and hoping people are dumb enough not to poke around. Time and time again they've been proven wrong.
If I were you I'd be a lot more concerned about DRM and TCPA/TCG when it comes to "bordering on communism." And I do mean a LOT.
2007-03-08 11:37:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-09-30 09:59:24 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We do not need to be held in bondage by Microsoft. Set yourself free - get UBUNTU. Once you have it installed you gain access to thousands of free programs created by the open source community.
Software freedom day is coming. A chance to enlighten your friends and anybody else who will listen.
http://softwarefreedomday.org/
2007-03-08 10:44:53 · answer #7 · answered by hitechsleuth 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋