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[Paul Smith <paul AT foundryzero.com>]

On Apr 6, 2004, at 9:04 AM, Bill Geschwind wrote:

> I suspect that once you start having technologically unsophisticated
> people buy Linux desktops for their home computers you are going to
> start seeing some of the same problems that you have had for years with
> the same technologically unsophisticated people putting Windows 
> desktops
> in their homes...


	I agree... I don't think the WalMart crowd is going to bring anything 
positive to Linux. They probably won't add anything by way of code or 
community support, and it will probably fuel anti-linux FUD when this 
bad idea doesn't work... ("Linux taken off the shelves at WalMart - 
lack of demand!").
	Want to gauge real progress for Linux desktop? Watch as corporations 
start to realize that they can put Linux desktop in front of 
rank-and-file office workers. That's a situation where the fact that it 
takes some expertise to install new software and tweak settings is a 
distinct
advantage rather than a disadvantage.
	Mind you, if Microsoft lost 30-40% of their market share to Linux and 
Apple, I wouldn't mind that one bit. Hell, if Microsoft lost 30-40% of 
their market share to Linux and Apple, it would probably be the best 
thing that ever happened to /Microsoft/. I just don't think WalMart is 
going to make that happen.

--P


--
Paul Smith
Foundry Zero
919.834.5433
www.foundryzero.com