Sun to challenge Microsoft?

QCHQCH Ancient GuruChicago Area - USA Icrontian
edited September 2003 in Science & Tech
Sun plans on launching an operating system bundles with software comparable to Microsoft. The cost??? $50 per year per PC.
The Sun Java Desktop system, which was formerly code-named Mad Hatter, runs on the open-source Linux operating system and includes a variety of programs that replace Microsoft's Internet browser, productivity suite and other parts of the Windows package.

Sun officials say its system will cost as little as $50 per user per year and can be installed on any computer that can run Microsoft's Office 2000. The software also is designed to interoperate with Windows-based programs such as Exchange and Microsoft Office.

<a href= "http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/biztech/09/16/sun.java.ap/index.html&quot; target="_blank">Read it here at CNN</a>

Comments

  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    If it can integrate with Exchange, then it's a good step forward. I've looked at Linux desktop's before but the licensing costs for the plugin for Evolution email (linux email client) put's me off.

    Build it in and you can persuade corporates to change..
  • a2jfreaka2jfreak Houston, TX Member
    edited September 2003
    Shorty: You're right. Anything, be it Linux, BSD, ABC, XYZ, LMNOP, 123, Whatever, needs to either integrate with Exchange/Outlook, or replaced Exchange/Outlook. The Exchange/Outlook combo is really what Microsoft uses to hold corporate America (and possibly the Corporate World . . . How are things in the UK?) by the gonads. Office is another biggie, but that's not as difficult to oust as Exchange/Outlook.

    One thing that gets me about big corporations is the willingness to continue using Exchange/Outlook when most of the companies don't even use the features of Exchange/Outlook at are the "killer" features. Why pay the crazy prices that MS charges whenever you don't use but just the basic features?
  • ShortyShorty Manchester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    It's the same here in the UK. Exchange is so widely used and pushed into businesses here. Some corps have got wise to it, but their answer is to blow away Outlook/EXCH and use Lotus notes :ninja:

    Like everything, it's going to take time to change views and minds away from Outlook/Exchange. I personally detest the shoddy way Exchange works. It's a piece of crap to keep running well. Trying Exchange 2003 shortly, maybe that will have some fixes. But I defer..

    If they can make email apps that will work with the Exchange information store, then Id be happy. All this "collabaration" server crap is never used. No wonder they left it out of 2003 ;)
  • AranyicAranyic Casstown, OH Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    That will be nice...I really hope they didn't actually try to write anything in java actually for it. The thing won't be able to even compare in quickness/responsiveness if they did.
  • kanezfankanezfan sunny south florida Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    there's some open source email server out there, an exchange clone of sorts. I find that most (99%) of end users use only email, calendar and address book functions of exchange, the rest is bloat that no one understands or uses. public folders anyone? i've never seen anyone use that for a long period of time. if anyhting, it gets used early because it's a novelty, but no one really understands what it's for.
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