First, Microsoft submitted source code to the Linux kernel. Then, one of its executives claimed "We love open source." And just last night, Microsoft said it is now adding interoperability support for CentOS Linux so it can be run on Hyper-V, the virtualization platform that comes with Windows Server.
Microsoft's top 12 rivals
There's a healthy does of self-interest here, as Microsoft is trying to improve the viability of Hyper-V in an all-out war to topple VMware from its place at the top of the virtualization market, while also fending off open source competitors Xen and KVM. Plus, Linux is widely used in the Web server market. But you also might call supporting CentOS an indirect compliment paid to rival Red Hat, because CentOS is a version of Linux based on the Red Hat OS.
Bashing Microsoft 'like kicking a puppy,' says Linux Foundation chief
Microsoft marketing GM Sandy Gupta explains that Microsoft is targeting CentOS because it "is a popular Linux distribution for hosters," and therefore an important entry point for Microsoft to get its software into cloud networks.
"This development enables our Hosting partners to consolidate their mixed Windows + Linux infrastructure on Windows Server Hyper-V; reducing cost and complexity, while betting on an enterprise class virtualization platform," Gupta writes. Microsoft is set to share more details about Hyper-V's support for CentOS at this week's Open Source Business Conference.
Microsoft has a long, mostly contentious relationship with Linux and open source software users, often claiming that Linux software infringes on its patents. Linux-based Android is one of Microsoft's latest targets in enforcing patent claims. But if Linux and open source can be integrated with Microsoft software in a way that helps Microsoft sell more licenses, then Redmond officials become a little more forgiving, even supporting Linux servers (including Red Hat's) in its System Center management suite.
We'll keep a close eye on Microsoft's evolving stance toward open source software.
Read the views of online Certification Experts, which provide the real questions and correct answer and explanation for the students / professionals who are seeking or enhancing their level of expertise. more at certkingdom.com
May 16, 2011
Google launches Chrome OS, says Windows is 'torturing users'
Google co-founder Sergey Brin said Windows and other traditional PC operating systems are "torturing users" at Google's Chrome OS launch event Wednesday, where the company claimed 75% of business users can be converted from Windows to Chrome OS right away.
Google is partnering with Samsung and Acer to ship laptops based on Google's browser-turned-operating-system on June 15, it was announced at the Google I/O conference. In a briefing with reporters afterward, Brin was asked how many Google employees still use Windows. As a rough guess, he said it's about 20%. The rest must use Macs or Linux. But by next year, Brin hopes the vast majority of Googlers will be doing their work on Chrome OS.
"I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with Windows," Brin said. "Windows 7 has some great security features."
But Chrome OS, by putting most of a user's applications and data on the Web with some offline capabilities, presents a "stateless" model that Brin believes will eliminate complexity for users and IT departments by un-tethering people from machines that are difficult to set up and manage.
"With Microsoft, and other operating system vendors, I think the complexity of managing your computer is really torturing users," Brin said. "It's torturing everyone in this room. It's a flawed model fundamentally. Chromebooks are a new model that doesn't put the burden of managing the computer on yourself."
Google executives said they surveyed 400 companies and found that with a combination of Web applications, offline access to Google Docs and other services, and applications delivered through virtualization software, businesses could move 75% of their users onto Chrome OS devices.
Microsoft (and even Apple) could probably come up with a survey showing exactly the opposite. But Google does have an interesting plan to market Chrome OS devices, including partnerships with VMware and Citrix to deliver remote access to enterprise applications.
Chrome OS is basically nothing more than the Chrome browser on top of a stripped-down version of Linux, with no need to install antivirus software because of Chrome's sandboxing security, and cloud-based backups to restore data on the off chance you get a virus. All user data is encrypted by default.
While the devices are primarily designed to surf the Web, the laptops will have a file system and some offline access to key productivity applications.
CHROME OS: 10 things you can (and can't) do with the Google PC
Devices from Samsung and Acer will be sold at Best Buy and Amazon.com for between $350 and $500, but businesses can get the devices in a package for $28 per user per month, which includes support and hardware replacements. A similar deal for $20 per user per month is available to schools.
Samsung will offer a $429 version with a 12.1-inch screen and Wi-Fi, and Verizon will ship a 3G version for $499. An Acer device with an 11.6-inch screen will start at $349.
Google is partnering with Samsung and Acer to ship laptops based on Google's browser-turned-operating-system on June 15, it was announced at the Google I/O conference. In a briefing with reporters afterward, Brin was asked how many Google employees still use Windows. As a rough guess, he said it's about 20%. The rest must use Macs or Linux. But by next year, Brin hopes the vast majority of Googlers will be doing their work on Chrome OS.
"I don't think there is anything inherently wrong with Windows," Brin said. "Windows 7 has some great security features."
But Chrome OS, by putting most of a user's applications and data on the Web with some offline capabilities, presents a "stateless" model that Brin believes will eliminate complexity for users and IT departments by un-tethering people from machines that are difficult to set up and manage.
"With Microsoft, and other operating system vendors, I think the complexity of managing your computer is really torturing users," Brin said. "It's torturing everyone in this room. It's a flawed model fundamentally. Chromebooks are a new model that doesn't put the burden of managing the computer on yourself."
Google executives said they surveyed 400 companies and found that with a combination of Web applications, offline access to Google Docs and other services, and applications delivered through virtualization software, businesses could move 75% of their users onto Chrome OS devices.
Microsoft (and even Apple) could probably come up with a survey showing exactly the opposite. But Google does have an interesting plan to market Chrome OS devices, including partnerships with VMware and Citrix to deliver remote access to enterprise applications.
Chrome OS is basically nothing more than the Chrome browser on top of a stripped-down version of Linux, with no need to install antivirus software because of Chrome's sandboxing security, and cloud-based backups to restore data on the off chance you get a virus. All user data is encrypted by default.
While the devices are primarily designed to surf the Web, the laptops will have a file system and some offline access to key productivity applications.
CHROME OS: 10 things you can (and can't) do with the Google PC
Devices from Samsung and Acer will be sold at Best Buy and Amazon.com for between $350 and $500, but businesses can get the devices in a package for $28 per user per month, which includes support and hardware replacements. A similar deal for $20 per user per month is available to schools.
Samsung will offer a $429 version with a 12.1-inch screen and Wi-Fi, and Verizon will ship a 3G version for $499. An Acer device with an 11.6-inch screen will start at $349.
May 15, 2011
Windows 8 to kill off Adobe Reader?
So long, farewell to Acrobat
Windows 8 is set to include its own native PDF reader, signalling the end of forced Adobe Reader integration.
A thousand weary PDF perusers are no doubt crying tears of happiness at the mere thought of never again having to update their PDF reader eighty-four times a day.
Hopefully the proprietary reader will also see an end to the almost-mandatory desktop shortcut that Adobe Reader drops on your desktop every time you update - but then again, this is Microsoft so we wouldn't bet on it.
Modernity
The new Microsoft PDF reader is known as 'Modern Reader', and uses the new AppX application package type, which is very similar to that of Windows Phone 7 and is likely to be used in Windows Phone 8 software too.
This should make emailing and opening PDF files on your phone and computer a much smoother experience, we'd hope, and could make developing cross-device applications much easier for devs.
The screenshots of the Modern Reader UI are pretty standard, featuring a very Windows Phone 7-esque look; it renders PDFs in full fidelity, offers zoom, allows for side-by-side page viewing and has a bookmark side-bar for skipping through chapters.
Windows 8 is set to include its own native PDF reader, signalling the end of forced Adobe Reader integration.
A thousand weary PDF perusers are no doubt crying tears of happiness at the mere thought of never again having to update their PDF reader eighty-four times a day.
Hopefully the proprietary reader will also see an end to the almost-mandatory desktop shortcut that Adobe Reader drops on your desktop every time you update - but then again, this is Microsoft so we wouldn't bet on it.
Modernity
The new Microsoft PDF reader is known as 'Modern Reader', and uses the new AppX application package type, which is very similar to that of Windows Phone 7 and is likely to be used in Windows Phone 8 software too.
This should make emailing and opening PDF files on your phone and computer a much smoother experience, we'd hope, and could make developing cross-device applications much easier for devs.
The screenshots of the Modern Reader UI are pretty standard, featuring a very Windows Phone 7-esque look; it renders PDFs in full fidelity, offers zoom, allows for side-by-side page viewing and has a bookmark side-bar for skipping through chapters.
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