Why Linux?
Cultural/socia advantages
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Free Software, Open Source, and Linux
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Free Software vs. Mac-style "freeware"
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The "free" means "freedom", not price. Prices stay low, due to market forces. Linux is"Turning a $5B industry into a $500M one."
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The "Open Source" meme: massive, independent peer review; ability to solve your own problems; protection from vendor decisions; etc.
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The Bazaar model: Energetic, open, forward-thinking "gift cultures" and the economics of abundance. Standards are your friend (but not Bill's). "Cooperative world domination."
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Way-cool Linux community
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You can use old Macs
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Almost any machine, also Apple Network Servers
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Non-G3/604es can run a modern OS. A 7100 makes a fine server, with about the speed of a low-end SparcStation 5. A G3 really screams!
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An old PowerPC can serve the whole LAN
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The Mac gives Linux the advantages of integrated hardware. No DMA vectors, IRQs, or jumper settings to worry about.
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It ain't Microsoft; it ain't Apple
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Independent of corporate goals. (Some correlation with Mac OS X, however.)
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Developed for technical prowess, not profit
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Support and accountability: Hand-holding vs. RTFM. Lots of support, just nobody to sue!
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Chances for success
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Advantages of PowerPC architecture
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Low power needs (imp. to laptops). May get faster.
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Ease of installation and use
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Not everyone likes BSD; Linux has mindshare
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Disadvantages of PowerPC architecture
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Fewer users (fewer drivers, etc.)
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Competing against Mac OS X
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Mac OS X will have Blue and Yellow boxes. (However, Linux will have SheepShaver, which allows cross-compatibility with Mac OS.)
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This page was last updated on Monday, February 09, 2004 at 2:50pm CST.
All contents copyright 2005 by Tom Geller.
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The Value Proposition of Linux on the Mac