3 ms·

The alternatives weren't nothing or Windows. OEMs had other options even in the 90s. Would OS\2 have done a little better in the marketplace to actually carve o

The alternatives weren't nothing or Windows. OEMs had other options even in the 90s. Would OS\2 have done a little better in the marketplace to actually carve out a niche? Would desktop Linux be a better experience since OEMs could have had machines designed and targeted with Linux in mind back in 1997? Would BeOS still be around? Had OEMs not be forced to pay for Windows licences for all computers shipped regardless of whether it actually included Windows or not perhaps they wouldn't have shipped Windows so damn much?

scarface74 4y ago
I conflated two separate issues: 1. Microsoft was held accountable and forced to stop making OEMs pay Windows licenses for computers that didn’t ship with Windows. As an aside, there is no “Windows tax”. OEMs make more than enough by bundling third party crapware it more than pays for Windows. But third party OSs - especially Linux was never going to be big on the desktop without third party commercial support. The only Unix[1] operating system that has ever gained any traction on the desktop is MacOS and Apple makes sure they bend over backwards to keep Microsoft and Adobe happy. I sold IBM Aptivas briefly in the 90s that came with OS/2 at Radio Shack. They were not going to overtake the world. 2. As far as “bundling” in 2022, would you suggest any platform come without a browser? Macs, Windows, ChromeOS computers, iOS and Android all come with browsers. What would the consumer experience be like if all platforms just came with an empty desktop and they had to download everything? [1] yes MacOS is real certified Unix.
- goosedragons 4y ago
  Maybe Linux would have gained more traction if OEMs were shipping it? But instead they had to pay for a Windows license anyways so may as well ship that... And had it shipped on OEM machines that might have attracted more third party devs too. And they could have sold crapware if they wanted as well. It's impossible to say for certain that MS's policies had no impact on the desktop computer space. As for 2, well that depends how hard is it to get a browser? Can I just open a store or repo and grab one or do I have to sneakernet it on there? I don't think it has to be a bad experience to have a barebones system if done right.
  - scarface74 4y ago
    Since the 90s, platforms really didn’t have a chance that didn’t run Microsoft Office and Adobe. Remember that MS was on stage with Apple when the first Mac was introduced. Vertical market apps are going to target the computer with the largest market share. You’re going to be hard pressed to tell your local dentist office they need to run Linux to run the equivalent of their VB based software. Most people already complain when their first launch experience requires them to update their OS - mostly consoles. I can’t imagine telling my mom, to download a browser, email client, dialer, messaging app, calendar, contacts software, notes app, etc.

scarface74 4y ago

I conflated two separate issues: 1. Microsoft was held accountable and forced to stop making OEMs pay Windows licenses for computers that didn’t ship with Windows. As an aside, there is no “Windows tax”. OEMs make more than enough by bundling third party crapware it more than pays for Windows. But third party OSs - especially Linux was never going to be big on the desktop without third party commercial support. The only Unix[1] operating system that has ever gained any traction on the desktop is MacOS and Apple makes sure they bend over backwards to keep Microsoft and Adobe happy. I sold IBM Aptivas briefly in the 90s that came with OS/2 at Radio Shack. They were not going to overtake the world. 2. As far as “bundling” in 2022, would you suggest any platform come without a browser? Macs, Windows, ChromeOS computers, iOS and Android all come with browsers. What would the consumer experience be like if all platforms just came with an empty desktop and they had to download everything? [1] yes MacOS is real certified Unix.

goosedragons 4y ago
Maybe Linux would have gained more traction if OEMs were shipping it? But instead they had to pay for a Windows license anyways so may as well ship that... And had it shipped on OEM machines that might have attracted more third party devs too. And they could have sold crapware if they wanted as well. It's impossible to say for certain that MS's policies had no impact on the desktop computer space. As for 2, well that depends how hard is it to get a browser? Can I just open a store or repo and grab one or do I have to sneakernet it on there? I don't think it has to be a bad experience to have a barebones system if done right.
- scarface74 4y ago
  Since the 90s, platforms really didn’t have a chance that didn’t run Microsoft Office and Adobe. Remember that MS was on stage with Apple when the first Mac was introduced. Vertical market apps are going to target the computer with the largest market share. You’re going to be hard pressed to tell your local dentist office they need to run Linux to run the equivalent of their VB based software. Most people already complain when their first launch experience requires them to update their OS - mostly consoles. I can’t imagine telling my mom, to download a browser, email client, dialer, messaging app, calendar, contacts software, notes app, etc.