PDA

View Full Version : recession promoting linux



sandyd
January 5th, 2010, 04:38 AM
Do you think the recession caused more people to flock to linux/ FOSS apps?

As more people earn less money and lose their jobs, they wont have money to upgrade their OSes, buy commercial software.etc .etc and will look for cheaper (or free) alternatives to the software.

Article emphasizing rate of unemployment -> http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm

jrusso2
January 5th, 2010, 04:39 AM
No not as far as installing Linux since Windows comes with the computer. Might have inspired some to install Open Office.

chris200x9
January 5th, 2010, 04:41 AM
no, most people imo would just pirate if they had no money. I think linux is growing because of a gernal greater understanding of tech.

mamamia88
January 5th, 2010, 05:20 AM
i sersiously doubt it. if you wanted windows for free it's pretty dang easy to get.

schauerlich
January 5th, 2010, 05:20 AM
no, most people imo would just pirate if they had no money.

This.

aaronchall
January 5th, 2010, 06:03 AM
Some with no money might pirate, but others with less money (like me!) are also motivated to switch to a different OS, as I've done with Ubuntu. I wanted to do this for a couple of years, but the recession has motivated me. I don't know if I'm in the minority or not. But as I posted in another thread, Linux has gained market share over the past 2 years. However, so has Mac, a more expensive OS/computer. Perhaps the real driver is Windows: slow, unresponsive, bloated, difficult to run lean and secure.

CJ Master
January 5th, 2010, 06:16 AM
No, considering that most people have never even heard of Linux.

RiceMonster
January 5th, 2010, 06:20 AM
Doubtful.

starcannon
January 5th, 2010, 07:24 AM
I think its quite possible a budget minded home user would migrate, or at least try out a "free as in beer" solution, if they were finding that maintenance of an aging XP system was becoming too expensive.

user1397
January 5th, 2010, 07:32 AM
It might have had an effect on maybe 0.0001% of the population, but that's it.

If people are facing hard times, the last thing they're worried about is upgrading their computer/OS. Food, gas, rent, utilities, and clothing come to mind, along with education/healthcare costs.

oldsoundguy
January 5th, 2010, 07:44 AM
practicality is beginning to sink in:
http://scrippsnews.com/content/federal-investigators-use-playstation-3-combat-child-porn

and here is a cluster:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/12/09/u-s-air-force-using-the-ps3-for-%E2%80%98urban-surveillance%E2%80%99-research/

phrostbyte
January 5th, 2010, 07:57 AM
Red Hat's has recently had it's best quarter, while Microsoft's revenues and profits are at a decline. So take it as you will.

Exodist
January 5th, 2010, 08:56 AM
Do you think the recession caused more people to flock to linux/ FOSS apps?

As more people earn less money and lose their jobs, they wont have money to upgrade their OSes, buy commercial software.etc .etc and will look for cheaper (or free) alternatives to the software.

Article emphasizing rate of unemployment -> http://www.bls.gov/news.release/laus.nr0.htm

I think its possible, I have seen a huge flux in FOSS (mostly GPL'd) Software even for windows lately. I am rather surprised.

Crunchy the Headcrab
January 5th, 2010, 09:15 AM
Personal interest drew me in. Price was just an added incentive.

squilookle
January 5th, 2010, 05:48 PM
For people that have lost their jobs and got no money, I would guess upgrading their OS is the last thing they're bothered about.

I think people are likely to stick with the os they have, if they aren't buying new hardware and aren't already interested in FOSS.

I believe XP still has a large user base, and it is still supported.